Exhibit 23.1

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We  consent to the  reference  to our firm under the  caption  "Experts"  in the
Registration  Statement  (Form S-3 No.  333-00000)  and  related  prospectus  of
Discovery  Laboratories,  Inc.  to be filed on or about  August 20, 2004 for the
registration of approximately  15,375,000  shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation  by reference  therein of our report dated February 13, 2004, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Discovery Laboratories, Inc.
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended  December 31, 2003,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                      /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 20, 2004