November 14, 2011
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
100 F Street
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attention: Ms. Tabatha Akins
Mr. Joel Parker
| Re: | Synageva BioPharma Corp. |
Item 4.01 Form 8-K
Filed November 10, 2011
File No. 000-23155
Dear Ms. Akins and Mr. Parker:
Please be advised that, in connection with the comments issued by the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) received by letter dated November 14, 2011, with regard to the above referenced filings by Synageva BioPharma Corp. (the “Company”), the Company hereby acknowledges that (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings, (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings, and (iii) the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
Please call Zachary Blume of Ropes & Gray LLP at (617) 951-7663 if you have any questions.
Very truly yours,
SYNAGEVA BIOPHARMA CORP.
| By: | /s/ Sanj K. Patel | |
| Name: | Sanj K. Patel | |
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
