Filed by Corvas International, Inc.
                                Filed Pursuant to Rule 425 promulgated under the
    Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
              Promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


                                     Subject Company: Corvas International, Inc.
                                                    Commission File No.: 0-19732


July 1, 2003

Dear (Individually addressed) Corvas Shareholder:

Enclosed for your review is a copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus
covering our proposed combination with Dendreon.

We believe the combined company will benefit the stockholders of both companies
by creating value for stockholders through:

         o    five promising clinical programs
         o    a deeper product pipeline in oncology that is diversified across
              four key technology platforms
         o    complementary drug discovery and development expertise to augment
              research and development capabilities
         o    product opportunities in cardiovascular disease, e.g., rNAPc2
         o    stronger financial position to advance the combined programs
         o    seasoned leadership with a strong scientific and clinical talent
              pool

We also ask that you read about recent developments in the joint proxy
statement/prospectus, including the $30.7 million additional funding raised by
Dendreon under its existing shelf registration.

Hopefully you share my enthusiasm for this combination. I plan to contact you
shortly in case you have any questions and to ask for your support on this
important decision. Also, please feel free to call Dr. Mitchell H. Gold,
Dendreon's Chief Executive Officer at (206) 829-1524.

Best regards,

/s/ Randall E. Woods

Randall E. Woods

cc: Dr. Mitchell H. Gold, M.D.