UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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): February 16, 2005

Gen-Probe Incorporated

(858) 410-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

     ¨ 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 CRF 240.13e-4(c))

Table of Contents

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     On February 16, 2005, Gen-Probe Incorporated issued a news release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. A copy of this news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

     The information furnished pursuant to this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regardless of any general incorporation language in any such filing, unless Gen-Probe expressly sets forth in such filing that such information is to be considered “filed” or incorporated by reference therein.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)      The following exhibit is furnished with this Current Report:

     99.1      News release dated February 16, 2005

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBITS