-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-09-025050.txt : 20090508
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-09-025050.hdr.sgml : 20090508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090508161315
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-09-025050
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090506
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090508
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090508

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VIROPHARMA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000946840
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				232789550
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		397 EAGLEVIEW BLVD
		CITY:			EXTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19341
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6104587300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		397 EAGLEVIEW BOULEVARD
		CITY:			EXTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19341

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAKER JULIAN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001087939

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21699
		FILM NUMBER:		09810930

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BAKER BROTHERS ADVISORS
		STREET 2:		667 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAKER FELIX
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001087940

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21699
		FILM NUMBER:		09810929

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BAKER BROTHERS ADVISORS
		STREET 2:		667 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001244389
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21699
		FILM NUMBER:		09810931

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		667 MADISON AVE 17TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10065
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-339-5600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		667 MADISON AVE 17TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10065

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BAKER BIOTECH CAPITAL GP LLC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20030619
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form311030_050809161256-.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000946840</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VIROPHARMA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VPHM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001244389</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 17TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>US 10021</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087939</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER JULIAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 17TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>US 10021</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087940</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER FELIX</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 17TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>US 10021</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1893795</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through Partnership</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">In addition to Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC, this Form 3 is being filed jointly by Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker, each of whom has the same business address as Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC and may be deemed to have a pecuniary interest in securities owned by it. Because of certain relationships with other security holders of the Issuer, the Reporting Persons are filing solely for informational purposes as if they were a member of a group of such shareholders. (Continued in footnote 2).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">However, the Reporting Persons disclaim that they and any other person or persons, in fact constitute a &quot;group&quot; for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Rule 13d-5 thereunder or that they are the beneficial owners of securities owned by any such other persons, and each of them disclaims beneficial ownership of securities reported herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest, if any, therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents securities owned directly by 667, L.P., the sole general partner of which is Baker Biotech Capital, L.P., a limited partnership the sole general partner of which is Baker Biotech Capital (GP),LLC. Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker are the controlling members of Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Julian C. Baker, as Managing Member of Baker Biotech Capital (GP) LLC</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Julian C. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Felix J. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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