8-K

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): January 23, 2009

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-24006	94-3134940
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

201 Industrial Road

San Carlos, California 94070

(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 631-3100

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:

¨ 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.

(b)  On January 23, 2009, Irwin Lerner, a member of our Board of Directors, has decided to retire from the Board of Directors due to personal reasons.  His resignation was effective as of January 23, 2009.  Please refer to Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release issued on January 29, 2009 by Nektar Therapeutics announcing the retirement of Irwin Lerner from the Board of Directors.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirement 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.

By:	/s/ Gil M. Labrucherie
	Gil M. Labrucherie
	General Counsel and Secretary
Date:	January 29, 2009

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release issued on January 29, 2009 by Nektar Therapeutics announcing the retirement of Irwin Lerner from the Board of Directors.

EX-99.1

News Release

Nektar Announces Retirement of Irwin Lerner from Board of Directors

San Carlos, Calif., January 29, 2009 — Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) announced today that Irwin Lerner has retired from its Board of Directors effective January 23, 2009.  Mr. Lerner, former Chairman of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., has been a member of the Nektar Board of Directors since 1999.  He is retiring due to personal reasons.

The Board of Directors and the Company wish to acknowledge the contributions that Mr. Lerner has made by providing the benefit of his extensive industry experience to Nektar over a near ten-year period.

“It is a privilege to have worked with Irwin as a colleague and advisor,” said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar and member of the Board of Directors.  “On behalf of the entire Board and the Company, we extend our deepest appreciation to Irwin for his many years of service to Nektar.”

About Nektar

Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics based on its advanced polymer conjugation technology platforms. Nektar’s technology and drug development expertise have enabled nine approved products for partners, which include leading biopharmaceutical companies. Nektar is also developing a robust pipeline of its own high-value therapeutics that addresses unmet medical needs by leveraging and expanding its technology platforms to improve and enable molecules.  More information on Nektar is available at www.nektar.com

Jennifer Ruddock, 650-631-4954

jruddock@nektar.com

Susan A. Noonan, 212-966-3650

The SAN Group

Susan@sanoonan.com

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