content: <html>
  
  <head>
  <title></title>
  </head>
  
  <body bgcolor="white">
  
  
  
  
  <p  align="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2004</font></p>
  <p  align=right>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Registration No. 333-____</font></p>
  
  <hr size="4" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="5" face="Times New Roman"><b>UNITED STATES<br> SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br> </b></font>
  <font size="3"><b>Washington, D.C. 20549</b></font></p>
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="5" face="Times New Roman"><b>FORM S-8<br> </b></font>
  <font size="3"><b>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br> UNDER<br> THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</b></font></p>
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="6" face="Times New Roman"><b>AVIGEN, INC.<br> </b></font>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</b></font></p>
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <table align="center"  border="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="0"  cellpadding="0"  width="100%">
  
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>Delaware</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="top">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>13-3647113</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>(State or   other jurisdiction<br>   of incorporation or organization)</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>(I.R.S.   Employer Identification No.)</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY<br> ALAMEDA, CA 94502<br> (510) 748-7150<br></b></font>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)</b></font></p>
  
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS&#146; STOCK OPTION PLAN<br></b></font>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>(Full title of the plan)</b></font></p>
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>KENNETH G. CHAHINE, PH.D., J.D.<br> PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER<br> AVIGEN, INC.<br> 1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY<br> ALAMEDA, CA 94502<br> (510) 748-7150<br></b></font>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</b></font></p>
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Copies to:</font></p>
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>BRETT D. WHITE, ESQ.<br> COOLEY GODWARD LLP<br> FIVE PALO ALTO SQUARE<br> 3000 EL CAMINO REAL<br> PALO ALTO, CA 94306-2155<br> (650) 843-5000</b></font></p>
  
  <hr size="2" width="21%" noshade color=black>
  
  
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</b></font></p>
  <table align="center"  border="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="0"  cellpadding="0"  width="100%">
  
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p align="center"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Title of   securities <br>   to be registered</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  colspan="2" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Amount to   <BR>be registered(1)</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  colspan="2" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Proposed <BR>  maximum offering <BR>price per share(2)</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  colspan="2" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Proposed   maximum <BR>aggregate offering <BR>price(2)</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  colspan="2" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Amount of <BR>  registration fee</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="38%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="12%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="12%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="12%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="12%" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Common Stock,   $.001 par value</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">250,000</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.31</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;827,500.00</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;104.84</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom" >
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <BR>
  <table align="center"  border="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="0"  cellpadding="0"  width="100%">
  
   <tr>
    <td width="5%" valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(1)</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="95%" valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Pursuant to   Rule 416(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the   &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this Registration Statement shall cover any additional   shares of Common Stock which become issuable under the Plan set forth herein   by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other   similar transaction without receipt of consideration which results in an   increase in the number of shares of Registrant&#146;s outstanding Common Stock.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(2)</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Estimated   solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee   pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act.&#160; The offering price per share and aggregate   offering price are based upon the average of the high and low prices of   Registrant&#146;s Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on June   18, 2004, in accordance with Rule 457(c) promulgated under the Securities   Act.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  
  <div style="page-break-before:always"></div>
  <PAGE>
  <br>
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>EXPLANATORY NOTE</b></font></p>
  <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed for the purpose of registering an additional 250,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Registrant&#146;s 1996 Non-Employee Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan.</font></p>
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF CONTENTS OF<br> CERTAIN REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM S-8</b></font></p>
  <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The contents of the Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to the 1996 Non-Employee Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan (File Nos. 333-12087 and 333-56274) are incorporated by reference herein.</font></p>
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>EXHIBITS</b></font></p>
  <table align="center"  border="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="0"  cellpadding="0"  width="100%">
  
   <tr>
    <td width="9%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="left">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Exhibit   <BR>Number</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="88%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Description</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">5.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Opinion of   Cooley Godward LLP.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  
  
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">23.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Consent of   Ernst &amp; Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">23.2</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Consent of   Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration   Statement.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">24.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Power of   Attorney is contained on the signature pages to this Registration Statement.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">99.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">1996   Non-Employee Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan, as amended.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  
  <div style="page-break-before:always"></div>
  <PAGE>
  <br>
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>SIGNATURES</b></font></p>
  
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant 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 Alameda, State of California, on June 21, 2004.</font></p>
  <table align="center"  border="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="0"  cellpadding="0"  width="100%">
  
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  colspan="2" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>A<small>VIGEN</small>, I<small>NC</small>.</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="57%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="38%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">/s/ K<small>ENNETH</small> G. C<small>HAHINE</small>, P<small>H</small>.D., J.D.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Kenneth G.   Chahine, Ph.D., J.D.</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>President   and Chief Executive Officer</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>POWER OF ATTORNEY</b></font></p>
  <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kenneth G. Chahine, Ph.D., J.D. and Thomas J. Paulson, and each or either of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, 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 all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, 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 any of them, or their, his, or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></p>
  <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:</font></p>
  <table align="center"  border="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="0"  cellpadding="0"  width="100%">
  
   <tr>
    <td  colspan="2" valign="bottom">
    <p align="center"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Signatures</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Title</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Date</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  colspan="2" valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="35%" valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">/s/ K<small>ENNETH</small> G. C<small>HAHINE</small>, P<small>H</small>.D., J.D.</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td width="40%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td width="16%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">June 21, 2004</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(principal executive officer)</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Kenneth G.   Chahine, Ph.D., J.D.</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">/s/ T<small>HOMAS</small> J. P<small>AULSON</small></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Chief Financial Officer and Vice President,</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=2 face="Times New Roman">June 21, 2004</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Finance</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Thomas J.   Paulson</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(principal financial and accounting officer)</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">/s/ Z<small>OLA</small> H<small>OROVITZ</small>,   P<small>H</small>.D.</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">June 21, 2004</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Zola   Horovitz, Ph.D.</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">/s/ Y<small>UICHI</small> I<small>WAKI</small>, M.D., P<small>H</small>.D.</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">June 21, 2004</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D.</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">June 21, 2004</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>John K. A.   Prendergast, Ph.D.</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">/s/ P<small>HILIP</small> J. W<small>HITCOME</small>, P<small>H</small>.D.</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">June 21, 2004</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Philip J.   Whitcome, Ph.D.</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">/s/ D<small>ANIEL</small> V<small>APNEK</small>, P<small>H</small>.D.</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">June 21, 2004</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p style="margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Daniel Vapnek, Ph.D.</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
    <td  valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center"><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  
  <div style="page-break-before:always"></div>
  <PAGE>
  <br>
  
  <p  align="center">
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>EXHIBIT INDEX</b></font></p>
  <table align="center"  border="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="0"  cellpadding="0"  width="100%">
  
   <tr>
    <td width="9%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="left">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Exhibit <BR>  Number</b></font></p>  </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td width="88%" valign="bottom">
    <p  align="center">
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"><b>Description</b></font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <hr size="1" width="100%" noshade color=black>
  
  
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">5.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Opinion of   Cooley Godward LLP.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">23.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Consent of   Ernst &amp; Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">23.2</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Consent of   Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration   Statement.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">24.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Power of   Attorney is contained on the signature pages to this Registration Statement.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">99.1</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="1" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>  </td>
    <td  valign="top">
    <p>
  <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">1996   Non-Employee Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan, as amended.</font></p>  </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  
  
  
  
  </body>
  
  </html>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "av907159s-8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 41886}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AVIGEN INC \\DE", "cik": "0000932903", "assigned-sic": "2835", "irs-number": "133647119", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-116740", "film-number": "04875421"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY", "street2": ".", "city": "ALAMEDA", "state": "CA", "zip": "94502", "phone": "5107487150"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY", "city": "ALAMEDA", "state": "CA", "zip": "94502"}}
text: As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2004
  Registration No. 333-____
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  AVIGEN, INC.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  13-3647113
  (State or   other jurisdiction
  of incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S.   Employer Identification No.)
  1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY
  ALAMEDA, CA 94502
  (510) 748-7150
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
  1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
  (Full title of the plan)
  KENNETH G. CHAHINE, PH.D., J.D.
  PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
  AVIGEN, INC.
  1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY
  ALAMEDA, CA 94502
  (510) 748-7150
  (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  Copies to:
  BRETT D. WHITE, ESQ.
  COOLEY GODWARD LLP
  FIVE PALO ALTO SQUARE
  3000 EL CAMINO REAL
  PALO ALTO, CA 94306-2155
  (650) 843-5000
  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
  Common Stock,   $.001 par value
  250,000
  $   3.31
  $   827,500.00
  $   104.84
  (1)
  Pursuant to   Rule 416(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the   "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement shall cover any additional   shares of Common Stock which become issuable under the Plan set forth herein   by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other   similar transaction without receipt of consideration which results in an   increase in the number of shares of Registrant's outstanding Common Stock.
  (2)
  Estimated   solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee   pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act.  The offering price per share and aggregate   offering price are based upon the average of the high and low prices of   Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on June   18, 2004, in accordance with Rule 457(c) promulgated under the Securities   Act.
  EXPLANATORY NOTE
  This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed for the purpose of registering an additional 250,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Registrant's 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.
  INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF CONTENTS OF
  CERTAIN REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM S-8
  The contents of the Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (File Nos. 333-12087 and 333-56274) are incorporated by reference herein.
  EXHIBITS
  Exhibit
  Number
  Description
  5.1
  Opinion of   Cooley Godward LLP.
  23.1
  Consent of   Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  23.2
  Consent of   Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration   Statement.
  24.1
  Power of   Attorney is contained on the signature pages to this Registration Statement.
  99.1
  1996   Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, as amended.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant 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 Alameda, State of California, on June 21, 2004.
  A
  VIGEN
  , I
  NC
  .
  By:
  /s/ K
  ENNETH
  G. C
  HAHINE
  , P
  H
  .D., J.D.
  Kenneth G.   Chahine, Ph.D., J.D.
  President   and Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kenneth G. Chahine, Ph.D., J.D. and Thomas J. Paulson, and each or either of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, 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 all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, 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 any of them, or their, his, or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
  Signatures
  Title
  Date
  By:
  /s/ K
  ENNETH
  G. C
  HAHINE
  , P
  H
  .D., J.D.
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
  June 21, 2004
  (principal executive officer)
  Kenneth G.   Chahine, Ph.D., J.D.
  By:
  /s/ T
  HOMAS
  J. P
  AULSON
  Chief Financial Officer and Vice President,
  June 21, 2004
  Finance
  Thomas J.   Paulson
  (principal financial and accounting officer)
  By:
  /s/ Z
  OLA
  H
  OROVITZ
  ,   P
  H
  .D.
  Director
  June 21, 2004
  Zola   Horovitz, Ph.D.
  By:
  /s/ Y
  UICHI
  I
  WAKI
  , M.D., P
  H
  .D.
  Director
  June 21, 2004
  Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D.
  By:
  Director
  June 21, 2004
  John K. A.   Prendergast, Ph.D.
  By:
  /s/ P
  HILIP
  J. W
  HITCOME
  , P
  H
  .D.
  Director
  June 21, 2004
  Philip J.   Whitcome, Ph.D.
  By:
  /s/ D
  ANIEL
  V
  APNEK
  , P
  H
  .D.
  Director
  June 21, 2004
  Daniel Vapnek, Ph.D.
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit
  Number
  Description
  5.1
  Opinion of   Cooley Godward LLP.
  23.1
  Consent of   Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  23.2
  Consent of   Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration   Statement.
  24.1
  Power of   Attorney is contained on the signature pages to this Registration Statement.
  99.1
  1996   Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, as amended.