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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 Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 Registration No. 333-35826) and
related Prospectus of Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of
$50,000,000 aggregate amount of its common stock and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 18, 2000, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                          Ernst & Young LLP

July 20, 2000
Palo Alto, California