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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Axys
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of $35,000,000 debt securities and
warrants to purchase shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 18, 2000, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                          Ernst & Young LLP

May 22, 2000
Palo Alto, California