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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference of our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related prospectus of Cypress Bioscience,
Inc., formerly IMRI Corporation, for the registration of 1,424,516 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
January 23, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Cypress Bioscience, Inc. at December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for each year then
ended, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended December
31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Seattle, Washington
May 20, 1996