1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Numbers 333-49567, 33-42912, 33-66296, 33-82306, 33-82308, 333-31801,
333-75101 and 333-86177) pertaining to the 1998 Non-Officers' Equity Incentive
Plan, the 1988 Employee Stock Option Plan, the 1988 Consulting Stock Option
Plan, the 1991 Equity Incentive Plan, the 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and
the 1994 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan of COR Therapeutics, Inc. of
our report dated January 20, 2000, with respect to the financial statements of
COR Therapeutics, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 1999.



                                       /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Palo Alto, California
March 24, 2000


                                       49