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): July 3, 2003

                           ARIAD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


         Delaware                     0-21696                  22-3106987
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
    of Incorporation)                                      Identification No.)


                              26 LANDSDOWNE STREET
                         CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02139
              (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)


               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (617) 494-0400






ITEM 5.    OTHER EVENTS

           On July 3, 2003, the Registrant disseminated a Press Release
           announcing that it has filed a shelf registration statement with the
           Securities and Exchange Commission for the issuance of up to 7.5
           million shares of common stock. The Company has no immediate plans to
           offer or sell any shares of its common stock.

           The information contained in the Press Release dated July 3, 2003, is
           incorporated herein by reference and attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

ITEM 7.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.


           (c)    Exhibits.

                  99.1     The Registrant's Press Release dated July 3, 2003.



                                   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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                         ARIAD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.



                                         By:    /s/ Edward M. Fitzgerald
                                                ------------------------
                                                Edward M. Fitzgerald
                                                Senior Vice President and
                                                Chief Financial Officer

Date:    July 3, 2003








                                                    EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number     Description                            Sequential Page Number
-------    -----------                            ----------------------

99.1       The Registrant's Press Release                    4
           dated July 3, 2003.