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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 jmGQeAoOeYd0Tu+5xTx7zA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001131399-04-000149.txt : 20041012
<SEC-HEADER>0001131399-04-000149.hdr.sgml : 20041011
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041012161239
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001131399-04-000149
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041008
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041012
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041012

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THERAVANCE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001080014
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				943265960
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 GATEWAY BLVD
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6508086000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 GATEWAY BLVD
		CITY:			S. SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ADVANCED MEDICINE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000302

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001131399
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30319
		FILM NUMBER:		041074955

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		980 GREAT WEST ROAD
		CITY:			BRENTFORD MIDDLESEX
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			TW8 9GS
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011442080475000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		980 GREAT WEST ROAD
		CITY:			BRENTFORD MIDDLESEX
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			TW8 9GS
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001080014</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>THERAVANCE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>THRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001131399</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>980 GREAT WEST ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRENTFORD MIDDLESEX</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>TW8 9GS</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>433757</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>433757</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9401498</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Corporation</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All shares of Class A common stock are beneficially owned by the Reporting Person (&quot;GSK&quot;).  GSK may convert each share of Class A common stock into one share of common stock on or after the put/call termination date.  The put/call termination date is the date following redemption of the Issuer's common stock pursuant to exercise by GSK of its call option by written notice between June 1, 2007 and July 1, 2007 on a date not later than July 31, 2007, or, in the alternative, on the close of business of the last day in which holders of the Issuer's common stock can exercise their option to put shares during the period beginning August 1, 2007 and ending on the 30th business day thereafter or as may be required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">No expiration date on right to exchange Class A common for Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares of Class A common stock are held of record by SmithKline Beecham Corporation and Glaxo Group Limited, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reporting Person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Donald F. Parman,Vice Pres &amp; Assoc General Counsel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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