<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>a2034120zex-23_1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1
<TEXT>

<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                                  EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 14, 2000
relating to the financial statements of AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc., which
appears in AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for
the year ended December 31, 1999.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2000


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>