Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-12923, 333-53017, 333-33636 and 333-94169) of Incara Pharmaceuticals Corporation of our report dated November 15, 2000 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appear in this Form 10-K. /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Raleigh, North Carolina December 15, 2000