SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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): May 28, 2003    

ORCHID BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	000-30267	22-3392819
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4390 US ROUTE ONE, PRINCETON, NJ	08540
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

     Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (609) 750-2200

Not Applicable
     (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Page 1 of 4 pages

     Item 5. Other Events.

On May 28, 2003, the Registrant publicly disseminated a press release announcing that the Registrant has appointed Paul J. Kelly, M.D. as chief executive officer effective as of June 2, 2003. The information contained in the press release is incorporated herein by reference and filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)	Exhibits
	99.1	The Registrant's Press Release dated May 28, 2003.

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     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.

		ORCHID BIOSCIENCES, INC.                        (Registrant)
Date: May 28, 2003
	By:	/s/Andrew P. Savadelis
		Andrew P. Savadelis
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	The Registrant's Press Release dated May 28, 2003.

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