EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
   
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated September 4, 1997 in Amendment No. 2 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 and related Prospectus of Crescendo
Pharmaceuticals Corporation for the registration of 5,800,000 shares of its
Class A Common Stock.     
                                                 
                                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
   
September 4, 1997