EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
on Form S-8 and the related prospectus pertaining to the La Jolla Pharmaceutical
Company 1994 Stock Incentive Plan of our report dated February 14, 2003, with
respect to the financial statements of La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company included
in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


San Diego, California
June 9, 2003