UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): September 1, 2004

Abgenix, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

000-24207		94-3248826
(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6701 Kaiser Drive, Fremont California		94555
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

510-284-6500
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

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):

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

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

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

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

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On September 1, 2004, Abgenix, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an indemnification agreement with William R. Ringo, chief executive officer, president and director of the Company, who as announced on July 20, 2004 was appointed to these positions effective August 30, 2004. The terms of the indemnification agreement are similar to those indemnification agreements that the Company has previously entered into with certain of its officers and directors, which provide, among other things, that the Company will indemnify him, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements he may be required to pay in actions or proceedings which he is or may be made a party by reason of his position as a director, officer or other agent of the Company, and otherwise to the full extent permitted under Delaware law and the Bylaws. The Company’s form of indemnification agreement with officers and directors is an exhibit to its annual report of Form 10-K.

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.

	ABGENIX, INC.


Dated: September 1, 2004	By:	/s/ William Ringo
		William Ringo
		President and Chief Executive Officer