Exhibit 23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We  consent  to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on
Form S-8 pertaining to the Exelixis, Inc. 401(k) Plan, the 2000 Equity Incentive
Plan,  the  2000  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  and  the  2000  Non-Employee
Directors'  Stock  Option  Plan of Exelixis, Inc. and the Registration Statement
(Form  S-3  No.  333-66134)  and  in  the related Prospectus of our report dated
February  1, 2002, with respect to the 2001 consolidated financial statements of
Exelixis,  Inc.  included  in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December  31,  2001.

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Palo  Alto,  California
March  19,  2002