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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BO5E6lNeMhVjh7iENNYy5lcmEVUTKN7FnUBQr4BTBzvzXuCNjpidCgHcDkNEsPiq
 JyoBuFYn/X351CgwpPTzTg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-05-010672.txt : 20050311
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-05-010672.hdr.sgml : 20050311
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050311173416
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-05-010672
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050301
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050311
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050311

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABGENIX INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001052837
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836]
		IRS NUMBER:				943248826
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6701 KAISER DRIVE
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94555
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5106086500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6701 KAISER DRIVE
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94555

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Joseph Donald
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001319460

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24207
		FILM NUMBER:		05676502

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		510-608-6500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6701 KAISER DRIVE
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94555
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001052837</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABGENIX INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABGX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001319460</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Joseph Donald</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6701 KAISER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FREMONT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94555</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP, General Counsel &amp; Sec</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Donald R. Joseph</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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