UNITED STATES
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): October 10, 2008

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

0-21696

22-3106987

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts	02139
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

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

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

On October 10, 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the extension of the term of employment of the Company’s named executive officers listed below:

		Term of Agreement Extended
Name and Title		From	To
		(December 31 of each year)
Harvey J. Berger, M.D. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	2011			2013
Timothy P. Clackson, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer	2010			2012
Edward M. Fitzgerald Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer	2010			2012

The term of employment for each officer is thereafter subject to automatic renewal for successive one-year terms (three-year terms in the case of Dr. Berger) absent notice to the contrary by either party.

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.

		ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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