UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C.  20549

 

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):  November 22, 2004

 

RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

 

1180 Veterans Boulevard

South San Francisco, CA 94080

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 624-1100

 

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

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Item 8.01.                                          Other Events.

 

On November 22, 2004, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the results from its Phase I/II clinical study of R803, a novel oral hepatitis C RNA polymerase inhibitor. The press release dated November 22, 2004, titled “Poor Bioavailability Results In Insignificant Clinical Effects For Rigel R803 In Phase I/II HCV Trial,” is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Neither the filing of the press release as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K nor the inclusion in that press release of a reference to Rigel’s internet address shall, under any circumstances, be deemed to incorporate the information available at that internet address into this Current Report on Form 8-K. The information available at Rigel’s internet address is not part of this Current Report on Form 8-K or any other report filed by Rigel with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 9.01.                                          Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c)           Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated November 22, 2004, entitled “Poor Bioavailability Results In Insignificant Clinical Effects For Rigel R803 In Phase I/II HCV Trial.”

 

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SIGNATURES

 

        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.

 

	RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Dated: November 22, 2004
	By:	/s/ James H. Welch
	James H. Welch
	Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated November 22, 2004, entitled “Poor Bioavailability Results In Insignificant Clinical Effects For Rigel R803 In Phase I/II HCV Trial.”

 

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