SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    ---------

                                    FORM 6-K


                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer


                        Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                       LION bioscience Aktiengesellschaft
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                           Federal Republic of Germany
                 (Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

                           Im Neuenheimer Feld 515-517
                               D-69120 Heidelberg
                                     Germany
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
              annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                            Form 20-F  X   Form 40-F
                                      ----           ----

   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
    contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
   Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
                                     1934.

                                  Yes       No   X
                                      ----      ----

  If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
               in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): Not Applicable


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     LION bioscience Aktiengesellschaft's Report for the nine month period ended
December 31, 2002 is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference in
this Form 6-K.

     This Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K is specifically
incorporated by reference in the Company's Registration Statement of Form F-3
(Reg. No. 333-90730) filed on June 18, 2002, as amended on July 16, 2002.

                        Exhibit No.                Description

                           99.1            Report for the nine month
                                           period ended December 31,
                                           2002


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     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, thereunto duly authorized.

                       LION bioscience Aktiengesellschaft

                                     By:   /s/ Friedrich von Bohlen und Halbach
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     Name: Dr. Friedrich von Bohlen und Halbach
                                     Title: Chief Executive Officer

Dated: February 10, 2003


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