ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Exhibit 11.1

                      COMPUTATION OF NET LOSS PER SHARE 
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)




                                                    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                                         June 30,              June 30, 
                                                   --------------------  --------------------
                                                      1997       1996       1997      1996
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                        
NET LOSS:                                          $ (3,758)  $ (2,367)  $ (6,251)  $ (4,660)
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Shares used in net loss per share computation:

Weighted average shares of common stock 
  outstanding:                                        9,680      5,814      9,602      3,395 

Shares related to Staff Accounting 
  Bulletins Nos. 55, 64 and 83                            -          -          -        213 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Shares used in net loss per share 
  computation:                                        9,680      5,814      9,602      3,608 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net loss per share                                 $  (0.39)  $  (0.41)  $  (0.65)  $  (1.29)
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

CALCULATION OF SHARES OUTSTANDING FOR 
COMPUTING PRO FORMA NET LOSS PER SHARE:

Shares used in computing historical net 
  loss per share (from above):                                   5,814                 3,608

Adjusted to reflect the effect of the assumed 
  conversion of convertible preferred stock from 
  the date of issuance:                                          2,260                 3,750
                                                              ---------             ---------

Shares used in computing pro forma net loss 
  per share:                                                     8,074                 7,358
                                                              ---------             ---------
                                                              ---------             ---------

Pro forma net loss per share                                  $  (0.29)             $  (0.63)
                                                              ---------             ---------
                                                              ---------             ---------