EXHIBIT  23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We  consent  to  the  incorporation  by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form  S-8  Nos.  33-76236  and  No. 33-93668) pertaining to the 1993 Directors'
Stock  Option  Plan  of  Incyte  Pharmaceuticals,  Inc., (Form S-8 No. 33-76344,
33-93666,  333-13449, 333-31413 and 333-63069) pertaining to the 1991 Stock Plan
of Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Form S-8 No. 333-31409) pertaining to the 1997
Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  of  Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Form S-8 No.
333-46639)  pertaining  to  the  Options Assumed By Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Originally  Granted Under The Synteni, Inc. 1996 Equity Incentive Plan and (Form
S-8  No. 333-67691) pertaining to Options issued by Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
to  Former Optionholders of Hexagen Limited, (Form S-3 No. 333-73125) pertaining
to common stock issued by Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Former Shareholders of
Hexagen  Limited,  of  our  report  dated  January 27, 1999, with respect to the
consolidated  financial  statements and schedule of Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
included  in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998.


                                                     \s\  Ernst  &  Young  LLP

Palo  Alto,  California
March  23,  1999