EXHIBIT 99.8 [KPMG LOGO] KPMG LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Yonge Corporate Centre Telephone (416) 228-7000 4100 Yonge Street, Suite 200 Telefax (416) 228-7123 Toronto ON M2P 2H3 www.kpmg.ca CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors YM BioSciences Inc. We consent to the use of our report dated August 18, 2004, except as to note 11 which is as of October 1, 2004, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of YM BioSciences Inc. as at June 30, 2004 and 2003 and the related consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for the years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and for the period from August 17, 1994 to June 30, 2004, included in the annual report on Form 40-F of YM BioSciences Inc. /s/ KPMG LLP Chartered Accountants Toronto, Canada October 1, 2004