EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated October 31, 1997,
relating to the financial statements of Scriptgen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which
appears in such Prospectus. We also consent to the references to us under the
headings "Experts" and "Selected Financial Data" in such Prospectus. However, it
should be noted that Price Waterhouse LLP has not prepared or certified such
"Selected Financial Data."
 
[Signature]
 
Price Waterhouse LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
 
November 19, 1997