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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the previously filed
registration statements of ChiRex on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-02216, 333-02218
and 333-02220) of our reports dated February 27, 1996, on our audits of the
financial statements of Sterling Organics Limited and our audit of the financial
statements of Crossco (157) Limited, which reports are included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the references to our firm under the
caption "Selected Historical Financial Data."


 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND
 

Newcastle upon Tyne
England
March 7, 1997