FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)       September 4, 2002
                                                       ----------------------
                         TRIANGLE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       DELAWARE                       000-21589               56-1930728
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(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission            (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)                File Number)         Identification No.)


4 University Place, 4611 University Drive, Durham, North Carolina       27707
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         (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code        (919) 493-5980
                                                      --------------------------


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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)








Item 5.  Other Events

         On September 4, 2002, Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. issued a press
release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated
herein by reference.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)      Exhibits.         The following document is incorporated by reference
                           to this Report:

         99.1              Press release dated September 4, 2002.




                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                           Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                                   (Registrant)

       September 24, 2002                        /s/ Chris A. Rallis
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            Date                                     (Signature)
                                    Name:  Chris A. Rallis
                                    Title: President and Chief Operating Officer