Exhibit 99.8

CONSENT OF PROSPECTIVE DIRECTOR

     The undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by NitroMed, Inc. (“NitroMed”), and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained therein, as a person who will serve as a director of NitroMed following completion of the merger of Newport Acquisition Corp. with and into Archemix Corp.

December 18, 2008	/s/ Peter Barrett, Ph.D.
	Peter Barrett, Ph.D.