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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference of our reports dated February 17, 1997, included in or
incorporated by reference into ChiRex Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996, and into ChiRex Inc.'s previously filed 
Registration Statement No. 333-02216 on Form S-8, Registration Statement 
No. 333-02218 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement No. 333-02220 on Form S-8.


                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 

Boston, Massachusetts
March 6, 1997