EXHIBIT 23.2 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated March 10, 2000, in the Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Kosan Biosciences Incorporated for the registration of shares of its common stock. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Palo Alto, California March 27, 2000