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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                 Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                   MAY 4, 2006
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                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

                                      CEPHEID
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             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

            California               000-0030755             77-0441625
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     (State of incorporation)       (Commission          (I.R.S. Employer
                                    file number)        Identification No.)

                               904 Caribbean Drive
                               Sunnyvale, Ca 94089
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          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (408) 541-4191
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              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
     Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
     Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 2.02:    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

The information in this report and the exhibit attached hereto are being
furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed "filed" for
purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall they be
deemed incorporated by reference in any filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933,
except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference to such filing.

On May 4, 2006, Cepheid issued a press release announcing its financial results
for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and certain other information. The press
release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.01.

ITEM 9.01:    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

              (d)      Exhibits.

Number    Description
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99.01     Press release dated May 4, 2006



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                 CEPHEID


Date:   May 4, 2006                              By:    /S/ JOHN L. BISHOP
                                                        ------------------------
                                                 Name:  John L. Bishop
                                                 Title: Chief Executive Officer



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Number    Description
- ------    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
99.01     Press Release dated May 4, 2006.