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,
except for the first paragraph of Note 9 as to which the date is            , in
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-33732) and
related Prospectus of Kosan Biosciences Incorporated for the registration of
5,750,000 shares of its common stock.


                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California


The foregoing consent is in the form that will be signed upon the completion of
the stock split and increase in authorized shares of common and preferred stock
described in Note 9 to the financial statements.


                                          /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Palo Alto, California
September 5, 2000