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EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Nektar Therapeutics for the registration of $250,000,000 of equity and/or debt securities and to the incorporation by reference of our report dated January 17, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Nektar Therapeutics included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
September 12, 2003

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EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS