[LETTERHEAD OF LEONARD, STREET AND DEINARD]

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


July 3, 2001                                                  Ivy S. Bernhardson
                                                                    612-335-7072
                                                     ivy.bernhardson@leonard.com

Antares Pharma, Inc.
161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55441

     RE:  Antares Pharma, Inc. - Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:


     We have acted as counsel to Antares Pharma, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating
to the registration by the Company of an aggregate of 819,000 shares of its
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), for its 1998 Stock Option
Plan for Non-Employee Directors, 2001 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
Directors and Consultants and 2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan for Employees.

     As such counsel, we have examined copies of the articles of incorporation
and bylaws of the Company, each as amended to date, minutes of various meetings
of the Board of Directors of the Company and the original or copies of all such
records of the Company and all such agreements, certificates of public
officials, certificates of officers and representatives of the Company and
others, and such other documents, papers, statutes, and authorities as we have
deemed necessary to form the basis of the opinion hereinafter expressed.  In
such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of signatures, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity
with originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof.  As to
various questions of fact material to such opinion, we have relied upon
certificates of officers and representatives of the Company and others.

     Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations
set forth herein, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares have been duly
authorized, and (ii) when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the
applicable plan referred to in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We express no opinion with respect to laws other than those of the State of
Minnesota and the federal laws of the United States of America, and we assume no
responsibility as to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the
laws of any other jurisdiction.

     We hereby consent to your filing a copy of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement and to its use as part of the Registration Statement.


     We are furnishing this opinion to the Company solely for its benefit in
connection with the Registration Statement as described above.  It is not to be
used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose.  Other
than the Company, no one is entitled to rely on this opinion.

Very truly yours,

LEONARD, STREET AND DEINARD
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Ivy S. Bernhardson

Ivy S. Bernhardson