MAXIM PHARMACEUTICALS INC
S-3, 1998-05-12
MEDICINAL CHEMICALS & BOTANICAL PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>
                                       
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 12, 1998  
                                             REGISTRATION NO. 333-______________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                              -----------------------

                                      FORM S-3
                               REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                       UNDER
                             THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              -----------------------

                            MAXIM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                                      
               DELAWARE                                    87-0279983
     (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                       (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                   IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                                          
                       8899 UNIVERSITY CENTER LANE, SUITE 200
                            SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92122
                                   (619) 453-4040
          (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA
                CODE, OR REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                   DALE A. SANDER
           VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND SECRETARY
                            MAXIM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                       8899 UNIVERSITY CENTER LANE, SUITE 200
                            SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92122
                                   (619) 453-4040
              (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                     INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                          
                                     COPIES TO:
                               LANCE W. BRIDGES, ESQ.
                                 COOLEY GODWARD LLP
                          4365 EXECUTIVE DRIVE, SUITE 1100
                            SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                   (619) 550-6000

                                          
           APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
      From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered 
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the 
following box. / /
  
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered 
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities 
Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with dividend or 
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering 
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following 
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier 
effective registration statement for the same offering. / / ________________

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) 
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act 
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement 
for the same offering. / / _______________

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 
434, please check the following box. / / ______________
  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               PROPOSED MAXIMUM   PROPOSED MAXIMUM
  TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF        AMOUNT TO       OFFERING PRICE       AGGREGATE            AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED   BE REGISTERED      PER SHARE (1)    OFFERING PRICE(1)   REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>                <C>                    <C>
Common Stock, par value $.001.... 75,000         $16.34375          $1,225,781             $362.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act of 1933 based upon the average of the
high and low prices of Registrant's Common Stock on May 8, 1998 as reported on
the American Stock Exchange. 

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR 
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT 
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION 
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING 
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                     PROSPECTUS
                                          
                                   75,000 SHARES
                                          
                            MAXIM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

  
     This Prospectus relates to the offering of up to an aggregate of 75,000 
shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, (the "Common 
Stock"), of Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Maxim" or 
the "Company"), which may be offered from time to time by certain 
stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders").  The Shares may be 
offered from time to time by each Selling Stockholder in transactions on the 
American Stock Exchange ("AMEX"), in privately negotiated transactions or a 
combination of such methods of sale, at fixed prices that may be changed, at 
prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such 
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.  The Selling Stockholders 
may effect such transactions by selling the Shares to or through 
broker-dealers, and such broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form 
of discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling Stockholders or the 
purchasers of the Shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agent or to 
whom they sell as principal or both (which compensation to a particular 
broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions).  See "Selling 
Stockholders" and "Plan of Distribution."  No representation is made that any 
Shares will or will not be offered for sale. The Shares are being offered for 
the accounts of the Selling Stockholders.  It is not possible at the present 
time to determine the price to the public in any sale of the Shares by the 
Selling Stockholders and each Selling Stockholder reserves the right to 
accept or reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of Shares.  
Accordingly, the public offering price and the amount of any applicable 
underwriting discounts and commissions will be determined at the time of such 
sale by each Selling Stockholder.  
  
     None of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling 
Stockholders will be received by the Company.  The Company has agreed to bear 
certain expenses in connection with the registration and sale of the Shares 
being offered by the Selling Stockholders.  The Company has agreed to 
indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain liabilities, including 
certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 
"Securities Act").  See "Plan of Distribution."
  
     The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the AMEX under the symbol 
"MMP" and the Stockholm Stock Exchange ("SSE") under the symbol "MAXM."  The 
last sales price of the Company's Common Stock as reported by the AMEX on May 
8, 1998 was $16.3125 per share.  
                                       
                            ----------------------

      THE SECURITIES COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                      SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.

                            ----------------------

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
     AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
         ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE 
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                     THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 12, 1998

<PAGE>

NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE 
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED 
BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION NOT 
CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED HEREIN MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN 
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY.  THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO 
SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, BY ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION 
IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR SUCH PERSON TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. 
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME NOR ANY SALE MADE 
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN 
IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.

                                          
                               AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in 
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Such 
reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company may be 
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the 
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, 
D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's following Regional Offices: Chicago 
Regional Office, Suite 1400, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 
60661; and New York Regional Office, Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, 
New York, New York 10048.  Copies of such material can also be obtained at 
prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 
Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549.  The Commission 
also maintains a site on the World Wide Web that contains reports, proxy and 
information statements and other information regarding the Company.  The 
address for such site is http://www.sec.gov.

     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on 
Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered 
hereby.  This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in 
the Registration Statement, certain portions of which are omitted in 
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.  For further 
information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby, 
reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and 
schedules thereto, which may be inspected without charge at, and copies 
thereof may be obtained at prescribed rates from, the Public Reference 
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, 
Washington, D.C. 20549.  The Common Stock is listed on the American Stock 
Exchange and the Stockholm Stock Exchange.  Reports and other information 
concerning the Company may be inspected at the offices of the AMEX, 86 
Trinity Place, Seventh Floor, New York, N.Y. 10006, and at the offices of the 
SSE, Kallargrand 2, 11182 Stockholm, Sweden.  The SSE's World Wide Web site 
is located at www.xsse.se.  


                                      2

<PAGE>
                                       

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
September 30, 1997, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarter ended December 31, 1997, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Company's Proxy Statement for its 
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed pursuant to Rule 14a-6 of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the 
description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration 
Statement on Form 8-A filed on June 28, 1996, each as filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), are hereby 
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus except as superseded or modified 
herein.

     All documents filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and 
prior to the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated 
by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of 
filing of such documents.  Any statement contained in any document 
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed 
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent 
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document 
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or 
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall 
not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this 
Prospectus.

     The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any 
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral 
request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents that have been 
or may be incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits to such 
documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference into such 
documents).  Such requests should be directed to the Secretary at the 
Company's principal executive offices: 8899 University Center Lane, Suite 
200, San Diego, California 92122, telephone number (619) 453-4040.


                                      3

<PAGE>

                                  THE COMPANY
  
     EXCEPT FOR THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR INCORPORATED 
BY REFERENCE, THIS PROSPECTUS (AND THE INFORMATION INCORPORATED HEREIN BY 
REFERENCE) CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE CERTAIN RISKS AND 
UNCERTAINTIES.  THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM 
THOSE DISCUSSED HEREIN OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.  FACTORS THAT COULD 
CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, 
THOSE DISCUSSED IN THE FOLLOWING SECTION, THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS 
PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE SECTION HEREIN ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS," AND THOSE 
DISCUSSED IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.  

     Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Maxim" or the "Company") is developing 
novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease.  The 
Company's lead drug, MAXAMINE-TM- is designed to offer a safer treatment that 
extends life for seriously ill patients while maintaining quality of life 
during treatment.  In many patients with cancer and chronic infectious 
diseases, the capacity of the patient's immune system to detect and destroy 
tumor cells or virally infected cells is compromised.  MAXAMINE THERAPY 
combines the administration of MAXAMINE, which protects critical immune 
cells, with the administration of certain agents, which stimulate these 
immune cells (these agents include cytokines and other biological response 
modifiers).  This combination of actions is designed to allow MAXAMINE 
THERAPY to improve the immune system's ability to identify, disable and 
destroy malignant or infected cells.  The Company believes that MAXAMINE 
THERAPY has the potential to:  extend life; reduce toxic side effects of 
cytokines and other biological response modifiers; maintain the patient's 
quality of life during therapy; allow for self-administration at home; and 
provide cost-effective therapy.  

     The Company has initiated three Phase III clinical trials of MAXAMINE 
THERAPY for the treatment of cancer.  In June 1997 the Company commenced a 
200-patient Phase III clinical trial of MAXAMINE THERAPY for advanced 
malignant melanoma in the United States.  A separate international Phase III 
advanced malignant melanoma trial centered in Sweden and Australia commenced 
in November 1997.  In February 1998 the Company initiated a Phase III 
clinical trial for acute myelogenous leukemia ("AML") in the United States, 
Europe and Australia.  Furthermore, the Company has initiated earlier stage 
clinical trials of MAXAMINE THERAPY for the treatment of renal cell 
carcinoma, hepatitis C, and multiple myeloma, and plans to evaluate the 
commencement of clinical trials of MAXAMINE THERAPY for the treatment of 
additional cancers, such as prostate adenocarcinoma, during 1998.  All 
studies of MAXAMINE THERAPY conducted to date have used MAXAMINE in 
combination with one or both of the cytokines interleukin-2 ("IL-2") and 
interferon-alpha ("IFN-A").  Both IL-2 and IFN-A are cytokines with the 
capacity for stimulating certain immune functions.  

     In the Company's two completed Phase II clinical trials for the 
treatment of advanced malignant melanoma, MAXAMINE THERAPY produced improved 
patient survival outcomes.  Median survival time for patients treated with 
MAXAMINE THERAPY in these two studies exceeded 13 and 15 months, 
respectively, as compared with reported median survival times of 
approximately seven months for existing available treatments.  In patients 
where the melanoma metastasized to the liver, MAXAMINE THERAPY improved 
median survival time to 19 months compared to predicted survival times of 
approximately four months or less for these patients.  

     The Company's Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of AML have 
demonstrated an improvement of disease-free remission intervals.  As of 
February 1998, after 24 months of follow-up, 70% of patients treated with 
MAXAMINE THERAPY during their first complete remission ("CR1") remain in 
complete remission; less than 30% would be expected to remain in remission 
under current treatments.  Patients who relapsed and achieved a second or 
greater remission ("CR2+") and were subsequently treated with MAXAMINE 
THERAPY had a median time to relapse in excess of 21 months as compared with 
reported median time to relapse of approximately six months under the current 
standard of care. Remission inversion (prolonging the duration of CR2+ to 
that equal to or exceeding the patient's prior remission duration) was 
achieved in 8 of 11 (73%) patients treated with MAXAMINE THERAPY as compared 
with approximately 10% to 20% under the current standard of care.  

     Maxim is also developing MAXVAX-TM-, a mucosal vaccine carrier/adjuvant 
platform.  The MAXVAX technology is based on the B subunit of cholera toxin 
("CTB"), generally regarded as a safe and effective mucosal vaccine carrier.  
The Company expects that its future product development efforts will focus on 
mucosal vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases, major respiratory 
diseases and gastrointestinal tract diseases.  The MAXVAX 


                                      4
<PAGE>

platform is also being evaluated for therapeutic vaccines and gene-based 
vaccines.  The Company intends to seek collaborations with pharmaceutical and 
biopharmaceutical partners for the development of mucosal vaccine candidates. 

     Maxim's drug development strategy is designed to facilitate product 
development from preclinical to FDA and other regulatory approvals and 
product launch.  Maxim plans to work with numerous collaborators, both 
pharmaceutical and clinical, in the oncology and infectious disease 
communities to extend the labeling of the drug to other indications.  In 
February 1998 Maxim entered into an agreement with Amgen Inc. under which 
Maxim will test MAXAMINE in combination with Amgen's Infergen-Registered 
Trademark-, interferon alfacon-1, in a planned clinical trial.  Also that 
month, Maxim entered into an agreement with a manufacturer and marketer of an 
IL-2 product under which that company will provide the IL-2 requirements for 
Maxim's Phase III AML clinical trial.  To market its products, the Company 
intends to develop marketing alliances with corporate partners and may 
co-promote and/or co-market in certain territories.  

     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 8899 University 
Center Lane, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92122 and its telephone number 
is (619) 453-4040. 


                                       5

<PAGE>

                                  RISK FACTORS
                                          
     AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS INVOLVES A HIGH 
DEGREE OF RISK.  PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE 
FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS, IN ADDITION TO OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS 
PROSPECTUS AND IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE IN 
EVALUATING AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK COVERED BY THIS 
PROSPECTUS.

     DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY; ACCUMULATED DEFICIT; UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE  
PROFITABILITY.  The Company, as a development stage enterprise, has 
experienced net losses every year since its inception and, as of March 31, 
1998, had a deficit accumulated during the development stage of approximately 
$28 million.  The Company anticipates incurring substantial additional losses 
over at least the next several years due to, among other factors, the need to 
expend substantial amounts on its ongoing and planned clinical trials and 
anticipated research and development activities, and the business 
development, marketing and general and administrative expenses associated   
with those activities.  The Company has not commercially introduced any 
product and its products are in varying stages of development and testing.  
The Company's ability to attain profitability will depend upon its ability to 
develop products that are effective and commercially viable, to obtain 
regulatory approval for the manufacture and sale of its products and to 
market its products successfully. There can be no assurance that the Company  
will ever achieve profitability or that profitability, if achieved, can be 
sustained on an ongoing basis.    

     
     NO ASSURANCE OF SUCCESSFUL CLINICAL TRIALS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.  All 
drug products currently under development by the Company will require 
extensive preclinical and clinical testing prior to regulatory approval for 
commercial use.  To date, the Company has not completed testing for efficacy 
or safety in humans on any of its products.  Substantial additional research 
and development will be necessary in order for the Company to develop 
products based on the Company's MAXAMINE and MAXVAX technologies and there 
can be no assurance that the Company's research and development efforts will 
lead to development of products that are shown to be safe and effective in 
clinical trials and are commercially viable.  In addition to further research 
and development, potential products based on the Company's MAXAMINE and 
MAXVAX technologies will require clinical testing, regulatory approval and 
substantial additional investment prior to commercialization.  There can be 
no assurance that any such products will be successfully developed, prove to 
be safe and effective in clinical trials, meet applicable regulatory 
standards, be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at 
acceptable costs, be eligible for third party reimbursement from governmental 
or private insurers, be successfully marketed or achieve market acceptance. 
Further, the Company's products may prove to have undesirable or unintended 
side effects that may prevent or limit their commercial use.  The Company may 
find, at any stage of this process, that products that appeared promising in 
preclinical studies or Phase I and Phase II clinical trials do not 
demonstrate efficacy in larger-scale, Phase III clinical trials and do not 
receive regulatory approvals.  Accordingly, any product development program 
undertaken by the Company may be curtailed, redirected or eliminated at any 
time.  In addition, there may be delays in the Company's testing and 
development schedules, and there can be no assurance that the Company will 
meet expected testing and development schedules, which could have a material 
adverse effect no the Company's business, financial condition and results of 
operations.

     NO ASSURANCE OF REGULATORY APPROVAL; GOVERNMENT REGULATION.  The U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") and comparable agencies in countries 
outside the United States impose substantial requirements on the introduction 
of therapeutic pharmaceutical products and vaccines through lengthy and 
detailed laboratory and clinical testing procedures and other costly and time 
consuming procedures.  Satisfaction of these requirements typically takes a 
number of years and varies substantially based upon the type, complexity and 
novelty of the pharmaceutical agent.  In general, the FDA approval process 
for pharmaceuticals involves the submission of an Investigational New Drug 
("IND") application following preclinical studies, clinical trials in humans 
to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the product under the protocols set 
forth in the IND and submission of preclinical and clinical data as well as 
other information to the FDA in a New Drug Application ("NDA") or Product 
License Application ("PLA").  The Company must expend substantial time and 
financial resources to conduct clinical trials.  The Company's early clinical 
trials were conducted overseas, and ongoing and future clinical trials will 
be conducted at least in part overseas.  There can be no assurance that the 
results of such trials will support the submission or the approval of an NDA 
or PLA or that data from the Company's overseas trials or 


                                      6

<PAGE>

approvals of the Company's products in foreign countries outside of the 
United States, if any, will be accepted by the FDA. Accordingly, there can be 
no assurance that FDA or other regulatory approval for any products developed 
by the Company will be granted on a timely basis, or at all.  There can be no 
assurance that the Company will have sufficient resources to complete the 
required regulatory review process, or that the Company could overcome the 
inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, such approvals.  The failure of 
the Company to receive FDA approval for its products under development would 
preclude the Company from marketing and selling its products in the United 
States.  Therefore, failure to receive such FDA approval would have a 
material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of 
operations of the Company.  European and other international regulatory 
approvals are subject to the same risks and uncertainties as FDA and other 
regulatory approvals in the United States. 

     The production and marketing of the Company's proposed products, as well 
as its ongoing research and development activities, are also subject to 
regulation by governmental agencies of the United States and other countries. 
The effect of government regulation may be to delay marketing of the 
Company's products for a considerable period of time, to impose costly 
procedures upon the Company's activities and to furnish a competitive 
advantage to larger companies that compete with the Company.  Any delay in 
obtaining, or failure to obtain, FDA or other necessary regulatory approvals, 
including approvals by comparable agencies outside the U.S., would adversely 
affect the marketing of the Company's products and the ability to generate 
product revenue.  In addition,  the marketing and manufacturing of 
pharmaceuticals are subject to continuing FDA (or comparable international 
agency) review and surveillance and failure to comply with regulations or 
discovery of  previously unknown problems can result in FDA (or comparable 
international agency) action against the product or the manufacturer, 
including fines, recalls, product seizures and  suspension or withdrawal of 
previously granted regulatory approvals. Furthermore, government regulation 
may increase at any time, creating additional costs and delays for the 
Company.  The extent of potential adverse government regulation which might 
arise from future legislation or administrative action cannot be predicted.   
 

     UNCERTAINTY REGARDING PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.  It is the policy  
of the Company to file patent applications in the United States, Europe and 
other major markets throughout the world.  The patent positions of 
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are highly uncertain and involve 
complex legal and factual questions, and the breadth of claims allowed in 
biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents cannot be predicted.  There can be 
no assurance that patents will issue from any of the Company's patent 
applications. With respect to already issued patents and any patents which 
may issue from the Company's applications, there can be no assurance that 
claims allowed will be sufficient to protect the Company's technologies.  
Patent applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until a 
patent issues, and the Company cannot be certain that others have not filed 
patent applications for technology covered by the Company's pending 
applications or that the Company was the first to file patent applications 
for such technology.  Competitors may have filed applications for, or may 
have received patents and may obtain additional patents and proprietary 
rights relating to, compounds or processes that block or compete without 
infringing on those of the Company.  In addition, there can be no assurance 
that any patents issued to the Company or to licensors from whom the Company 
has licensed rights to its technologies will not be challenged, invalidated 
or circumvented or that the rights granted thereunder will provide 
proprietary protection or commercial advantage to the Company.  

     Other public and private concerns, including universities, may have 
filed applications for or have been issued patents with respect to technology 
potentially useful or necessary to the Company.  The scope and validity of 
such patents, the extent to which the Company may wish or need to acquire 
licenses under such patents, and the cost or availability of such licenses, 
are currently unknown.  

     In addition to patents and proprietary rights, the Company relies on 
unpatented trade secrets and proprietary know-how, and there can be no 
assurance that others will not obtain access to or independently develop such 
trade secrets and know-how.  Although potential corporate partners and the 
Company's research partners and consultants are not given access to trade 
secrets and proprietary know-how of the Company they have executed 
confidentiality agreements, these agreements may be breached by the other 
party thereto or may otherwise be of limited effectiveness or enforceability. 
 

                                      7

<PAGE>

     The pharmaceutical industry has experienced extensive litigation 
regarding patent and other intellectual property rights.  Accordingly, the 
Company could incur substantial costs in defending itself in suits that may 
be brought against the Company claiming infringement of the patent rights of 
others or in asserting the Company's patent rights in a suit against another 
party. The Company may also be required to participate in interference 
proceedings declared by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the 
purpose of determining the priority of inventions in connection with the   
patent applications of the Company or other parties.  Adverse determinations 
in litigation or interference proceedings could require the Company to seek 
licenses (which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms) or 
subject the Company to significant liabilities to third parties, and could 
therefore have a material adverse effect on the Company.  

     In 1993 and 1994 the Company entered into agreements under which the 
Company received exclusive, worldwide rights to certain technologies related  
to the MAXVAX technology.  In January 1998 the Company filed a complaint in 
the United States District Court for the Southern District of California 
relating to the licensors' performance under the agreements.  The complaint   
alleges certain causes of action against the licensors and seeks compensatory 
and punitive damages and declaratory relief.  The complaint also seeks 
specific performance of the licensors' obligations under the agreements.  The 
Company has filed a request for arbitration in connection with the issues 
presented by the complaint.  The Company cannot determine what impact, if 
any, an unfavorable resolution of the existing concerns would have on the 
commercial value of the MAXVAX technology.   

     NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS; UNCERTAINTY OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING.  The 
Company's operations to date have consumed substantial amounts of cash. 
Negative cash flow from the Company's operations is expected to continue and 
to accelerate over at least the next several years.  The Company's capital 
requirements will depend on numerous factors, including: the progress of 
preclinical testing and clinical trials; the progress of the Company's 
research and development programs; the time and costs required to obtain 
regulatory approvals; the resources devoted to manufacturing methods and 
advanced technologies; the timing and amount, if any, of funding obtained 
through corporate collaborations; the cost of filing, prosecuting and, if 
necessary, enforcing patent claims; the cost of commercialization activities 
and arrangements; and the demand for the Company's products if and when 
approved. The Company may have to raise substantial additional funds to 
complete development of any product or bring products to market.  Issuance of 
additional equity securities by the Company, for these or other purposes, 
could result in dilution to then existing stockholders.  There can be no 
assurance that additional financing will be available on acceptable terms, if 
at all.  If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, the Company 
may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate one or more of its product 
development programs or obtain funds through arrangements with collaborative 
partners or others that may require the Company to relinquish rights to 
certain of its technologies or products that the Company would not otherwise 
relinquish, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business, financial condition and results of operations.   

     DEPENDENCE ON QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.  The Company's future performance 
depends in part upon the continued contributions of its  senior management 
and on the ability to attract and retain qualified management and scientific 
personnel.  Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no 
assurance that the Company will be able to continue to attract, assimilate or 
retain highly qualified technical and management personnel.  The loss of key 
personnel or the failure to recruit additional personnel or to develop needed 
expertise could have a material adverse effect on  the Company's business, 
financial condition and results of  operations.    

     DEPENDENCE ON COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS.  The Company's strategy for the 
research, development, clinical testing, manufacturing and commercialization  
of certain of its products requires arrangements with corporate and 
university collaborators, licensors, marketing partners, licensees, 
consultants and others, and is dependent upon the subsequent success of these 
outside parties in performing their responsibilities.  Although the Company 
believes parties to any such existing or future arrangements will or would 
have an economic motivation to perform their contractual responsibilities, 
the amount and timing of resources to be devoted to these activities may not 
be within the control of the Company.  In addition, there can be no assurance 
that collaborators will not pursue alternative technologies as a means for 
developing treatments for the diseases targeted by these collaborative 
programs.  Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Company will be 
able to negotiate acceptable collaborative arrangements, or that its 
collaborative arrangements will be successful.    


                                      8

<PAGE>

     NO MARKETING AND SALES CAPABILITIES; ANTICIPATED DEPENDENCE UPON 
MARKETING ALLIANCES.  The Company has not developed pharmaceutical marketing 
or sales capabilities.  In order to market and sell certain products, the 
Company will need to develop a sales force and a marketing group with 
technical expertise, or make appropriate arrangements with strategic 
partners.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to gain 
such expertise or that such efforts will be successful.  The Company's 
strategy for development, commercialization and marketing of MAXAMINE and 
MAXVAX is expected to involve, where appropriate, the establishment of 
marketing and other collaborative relationships with pharmaceutical industry 
partners.  There can be no assurance that any such relationships can be 
consummated on terms favorable to the Company or that marketing efforts 
undertaken by such partners will be successful.    

     NO ASSURANCE OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE.  There can be no assurance that, if 
approved for marketing, MAXAMINE or any of the Company's other products in 
development will achieve market acceptance.  The degree of market acceptance 
will depend upon a number of factors, including the scope of regulatory 
approvals, the establishment and demonstration in the medical community of 
the clinical efficacy and safety of the Company's products and therapies and 
their potential advantages over existing treatment methods, and reimbursement 
policies of government and third-party payors.  There can be no assurance 
that physicians, patients, payors or the medical community in general will 
accept and utilize any products that may be developed by the Company.

     NO MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES.  The Company has not invested in the 
development of internal pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.  The 
Company's strategy has been, and is expected to continue to be for the 
foreseeable future, to contract with established pharmaceutical manufacturers 
for the production of MAXAMINE.  If the Company is unable to contract for 
manufacturing capabilities on acceptable terms, the Company's ability to 
conduct clinical testing and to produce commercial quantities of product will 
be adversely affected, resulting in delays in submissions for regulatory 
approval and in commercial product launches, which in turn could materially 
impair the Company's competitive position and the possibility of achieving 
profitability. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to 
maintain its existing, or acquire or establish new, satisfactory third-party 
relationships to provide manufacturing resources.    

     COMPETITION.  There are many companies, both publicly and privately 
held, including well-known pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic and 
other research institutions, engaged in developing pharmaceutical and 
biologically-derived products for the treatment of cancer and vaccines and 
therapeutics for the prevention or the treatment of infectious diseases.  
Many of the Company's competitors and potential competitors have 
substantially greater capital, research and development capabilities and 
human resources than the Company and represent significant competition for 
the Company.  Many of these competitors have significantly greater experience 
than the Company in undertaking preclinical testing and clinical trials of 
new pharmaceutical products and obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals. 
If the Company is permitted to commence commercial sales of any product, it 
will also be competing with companies that have greater resources and 
experience in the manufacturing, marketing and sales of pharmaceutical 
products.  The Company's competitors may succeed in developing products that 
are more effective, less costly, or have a better side effect profile than 
any that may be developed by the Company, and such competitors may also prove 
to be more successful than the Company in manufacturing, marketing and sales. 
  
     TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES AND UNCERTAINTY.  The Company is engaged in the 
pharmaceutical field, which is characterized by extensive research efforts 
and rapid technological progress.  New developments in oncology, cancer 
therapy, medicinal pharmacology, biochemistry and other fields are expected 
to continue at a rapid pace in both industry and academia.  There can be no 
assurance that research and discoveries by others will not render some or all 
of the Company's proposed programs or products noncompetitive or obsolete.  
The Company's business strategy is subject to the risks inherent in the 
development of new products using new technologies and approaches.  There can 
be no assurance that unforeseen problems will not develop with these 
technologies or applications, that the Company will be able to address 
successfully technological challenges it encounters in its research and 
development programs or that commercially feasible products will ultimately 
be developed by the Company.    

     ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS.  The Company has never declared or paid dividends 
on its Common Stock and does not anticipate paying any dividends in the 
foreseeable future.  In addition, the Company has entered into a 

                                      9

<PAGE>

Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank which restricts the 
payment of dividends by the Company.  

     PRODUCT LIABILITY EXPOSURE AND INSURANCE.  The Company's business 
exposes it to potential product liability risks which are inherent in the 
clinical testing, manufacturing and marketing of human therapeutic products. 
The Company currently maintains liability insurance coverage for its clinical 
trials, and intends to expand its insurance coverage to include the sales of 
commercial products if marketing approval is obtained for MAXAMINE or other 
products in development.  There can be no assurance that such coverage is or 
in the future will be adequate or that adequate insurance will be available 
in the future at an acceptable cost, if at all.  In addition, there can be no 
assurance that a product liability claim, even if the Company has insurance 
coverage, would not materially adversely affect the business or financial 
condition of the Company.  

     POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT OF SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE; PRICE 
VOLATILITY OF THE COMMON STOCK.  Sales of substantial amounts of the Common 
Stock of the Company in the public market could adversely affect prevailing 
market prices for the Common Stock and the ability of the Company to raise 
equity capital in the future. The Company's Common Stock currently trades on 
the AMEX and on the SSE.  Historically, the Common Stock has generally 
experienced relatively low daily trading volumes in relation to the aggregate 
number of shares outstanding.  The price and liquidity of the Common Stock 
may be significantly affected by trading activity and market factors related 
to the AMEX and SSE, which factors and the effects thereof may differ between 
these markets.  In addition, the securities markets have from time to time 
experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated 
to the operating performance of particular companies.  In addition, the 
market prices of the common stock of many publicly traded pharmaceutical or 
biotechnology companies have in the past been, and can in the future be 
expected to be, especially volatile.  Low trading volumes, announcements of 
technological innovations or new products by the Company or its competitors, 
developments or disputes concerning patents or proprietary rights, publicity 
regarding actual or potential medical results relating to products under 
development by the Company or its competitors, regulatory developments in 
both the United States and countries outside of the United States, delays in 
the Company's testing and development schedules, events or announcements 
relating to the Company's collaborative relationships with others, public 
concern as to the safety of biopharmaceutical or biotechnology products and 
economic and other external factors, as well as period-to-period fluctuations 
in the Company's financial results, may have a significant impact on the 
market price or liquidity of the Common Stock.  


                                      10

<PAGE>

                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
  
     The following table sets forth the names of each of the Selling 
Stockholders, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such 
Selling Stockholders as of April 30, 1998 and the number of shares of Common 
Stock which may be offered by each of them pursuant to this Prospectus.  This 
information is based upon information provided by each respective Selling 
Stockholder. Because the Selling Stockholders may offer all, some or none of 
their respective Shares, no definitive estimate can be provided as to the 
number of shares or percentage of outstanding Common Stock that will be held 
by the Selling Stockholders after such offering. 

  
     Each Selling Stockholder represented in the respective agreement under 
which he, she or it acquired the Shares (the "Purchase Agreements") that he, 
she or it was acquiring the Shares for investment and not with a view to, or 
for a sale in connection with, any distributions within the meaning of the 
Securities Act.  The Purchasers may require the Company, under certain 
circumstances, to register the Shares.  Accordingly, the Company has filed 
with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3, of which this 
Prospectus forms a part, with respect to, among other things, the resale of 
the Shares from time to time on the AMEX, in privately negotiated 
transactions or a combination of such methods of sale, at fixed prices that 
may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices 
related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.  The 
Company has agreed to prepare and file such amendments and supplements to the 
Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement 
effective until the earlier to occur of (i) all Shares offered hereby have 
been sold pursuant thereto or (ii) the Shares could be immediately sold under 
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             SHARES BENEFICIALLY                  SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                   OWNED            NUMBER OF         OWNED AFTER
                             BEFORE OFFERING (1)      SHARES         OFFERING(1)(3)
 SELLING STOCKHOLDER         NUMBER   PERCENT(2)  BEING OFFERED   NUMBER   PERCENT (2)
 -------------------------   ------   ---------   -------------   ------   ----------
 <S>                         <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>       <C>
 Caduceus Capital L.P.       32,500       *           32,500        0         0

 Caduceus Capital Ltd.       42,500       *           42,500        0         0
</TABLE>

__________________________
*    Less than 1%

(1)  To the Company's knowledge, the persons named in the table have sole
     voting and investment power with respect to all shares of the Common
     Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community
     property laws where applicable and the information contained in the
     footnotes to this table.

(2)  Percentage ownership is based on 9,278,986 shares of Common Stock
     outstanding as of April 30, 1998. 

(3)  Assumes the sale of all Shares offered hereby, should each
     respective Selling Stockholder elect to do so.


                                      11

<PAGE>

                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
  
     The Selling Stockholders will act independently of the Company in making 
decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale of the 
Shares.  The Company has been advised that the Selling Stockholders may sell 
the Shares from time to time in transactions on the AMEX, in privately 
negotiated transactions or a combination of such methods of sale, at fixed 
prices that may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, 
at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.  
The Selling Stockholders may effect such transactions by selling the Shares 
to or through broker-dealers, and such broker-dealers may receive 
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the 
Selling Stockholders or the purchasers of the Shares for whom such 
broker-dealers may act as agent or to whom they sell as principal or both 
(which compensation to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of 
customary commissions).  The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers who 
act in connection with the sale of the Shares hereunder may be deemed to be 
"underwriters" as that term is defined in the Securities Act, and any 
discount, commission or concession received by such persons and any profit on 
any resale of the Shares as principal might be deemed to be an underwriting 
discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.
  
     In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if 
applicable, the Common Stock will be sold in such jurisdictions only through 
registered or licensed brokers or dealers.  In addition, in certain states, 
the Common Stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or 
qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the 
registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
  
     All costs associated with the registration of the Shares being offered 
hereunder will be paid by the Company.  The Company has agreed to indemnify 
the Selling Stockholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities 
under the Securities Act. 
  
     There can be no assurance that the Selling Stockholders will sell all or 
any of the shares of Common Stock offered hereunder.


                                   LEGAL MATTERS
        
     The validity of the issuance of the Common Stock offered hereby will be 
passed upon for the Company by Cooley Godward LLP, San Diego, California.
                                          

                                      EXPERTS

     The financial statements of Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of September 
30, 1996 and 1997 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
September 30, 1997 and for the period from inception (October 29, 1989) 
through September 30, 1997, have been incorporated by reference herein and in 
the Registration Statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick 
LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference 
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and 
auditing.
  

                                      12

<PAGE>

                                     PART II
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

    The following table sets forth the fees and expenses payable by the 
Company in connection with the sale of the shares of Common Stock being 
registered.  All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration 
fee.

<TABLE>
            <S>                                                 <C>
            SEC Registration Fee                                    $362
            Legal Fees and expenses                               $5,000
            Blue sky qualification fees and expenses              $1,000
            Accounting fees and expenses                          $3,000
            Printing and engraving                                  $500
            Miscellaneous                                         $1,138
                                                                 -------
                       Total                                     $11,000
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
</TABLE>

ITEM 15.   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     
     The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its 
directors and executive officers and may indemnify its other officers, 
employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. 
The Company is also empowered under its Bylaws to enter into indemnification 
contracts with its directors and officers and to purchase insurance on behalf 
of any person whom it is required or permitted to indemnify. Pursuant to this 
provision, the Company has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its 
directors and officers and currently maintains directors and officers 
insurance coverage.
     
     In addition, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that to 
the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the Company's directors will 
not be liable for monetary damages for breach of the directors' fiduciary 
duty of care to the Company and its stockholders. This provision in the 
Certificate of Incorporation does not eliminate the duty of care, and in 
appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as an injunction or other 
forms of non-monetary relief would remain available under Delaware law. Each 
director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of the 
director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, for acts or 
omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing 
violations of law, for any transaction from which the director derived an 
improper personal benefit, and for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful 
stock purchase or redemption. This provision also does not affect a 
director's responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal 
securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

ITEM 16.   EXHIBITS.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number     Description
- -------    -----------
<S>        <C>
3.1        Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. (1)

3.2        Bylaws of Registrant. (1)

4.1        Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2.

4.2        Form of Common Stock Certificate. (1)

5.1        Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP.

10.1       Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers of the
           Registrant. (1)

10.2       Form of Representative's Warrant Agreement between the Company and
           National Securities Corporation, as representative of the several
           Underwriters (the "Representative"), including form of
           Representative's Warrant Certificate. (1)

10.3       Form of Warrant Agreement between the Company, the Representative
           and American Stock 


                                       II-1

<PAGE>

           Transfer & Trust Company, including form of Warrant Certificate. (1)

10.4       Option to Buy Technology and Rights Agreement, dated March 30, 1993,
           between the Registrant and Estero Anstalt. (1)(2)

10.5       Security Agreement, dated July 27,1993, between the Registrant and
           Estero Anstalt. (1)(2)

10.6       Exclusive License Agreement, dated June 14, 1995, among the
           Registrant, Jan Holmgren, M.D., Ph.D., Cecil Czerkinsky, Duotol AB
           and Triotol Ltd.  (1)(2)

10.7       Option and License Agreement, dated May 19, 1993, among the
           Registrant, Vitec AB and SBL Vaccin AB, as amended. (1)(2)

10.8       License Agreement dated January 14, 1994, among the Registrant,
           Vitec AB and SBL Vaccin, AB, as amended. (1)(2)

10.9       Agreement, dated December 2, 1995, among the Registrant, Syntello
           Vaccine Development AB and Estero Anstalt. (1)(2)

10.10      Agreement, dated April 23, 1996, among the Registrant, Anders
           Vahlne, M.D., Ph.D. and Syntello Vaccine Development AB. (1)(2)

10.11      Letter Agreement, dated February 15, 1996, between the Registrant
           and Burrill & Craves, Inc.(1)

10.12      Lease dated November 1, 1996 between DM Spectrum LLC, a California
           limited liability company, as Landlord and the Registrant for 3099
           Science Park Road, Suite 150, San Diego, California  92121. (3)

10.13      Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 5, 1996, by and between
           Dr. Anders Vahlne and the Registrant. (1)

10.14      Amended and Restated 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan and forms of
           stock option agreements. (4)

10.15      Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1997 between the Registrant
           and Kurt R. Gehlsen. (5)

10.16      Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1997 between the Registrant
           and Dale A. Sander. (5)

10.17      Employment Agreement dated November 5, 1997 between the Registrant
           and Larry G. Stambaugh. (5)

10.18      Loan and Security Agreement between the Registrant and Silicon
           Valley Bank. (6)

10.19      Financial Advisory Services Agreement between the Registrant and
           Rodman & Renshaw, Inc. dated September 17, 1997. (7)

10.20      Lease dated January 13, 1998 between British Pacific Properties
           Corporation, a California Corporation, as Landlord, and the
           Registrant. (8) 

10.21      Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated March 16, 1998 
           between the Registrant and Silicon Valley Bank. (9)

23.1       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Auditors.

23.2       Consent of Cooley Godward LLP.  Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.

24.1       Power of Attorney.  Reference is made to page II-4.
</TABLE>

- ---------
(1)  Previously filed with Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
     SB-2 (File No. 333-4854-LA) and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)  Certain confidential portions deleted pursuant to Order Granting
     Application Under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 406 thereunder
     respecting confidential treatment.

(3)  Previously filed with Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File
     No. 1-4430) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 and
     incorporated herein by reference.

(4)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1996
     and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)  Previously filed with Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File
     No. 1-4430) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 and
     incorporated herein by reference.

(6)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period


                                      II-2

<PAGE>

      ended March 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.

(7)  Previously filed with Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
     (File No. 333-35895), as amended through the date hereof, and      
     incorporated herein by reference.

(8)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1997
     and incorporated herein by reference.

(9)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998 and 
     incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, 
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

     (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;

     (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the 
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent 
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,  
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the 
Registration Statement;

     (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of 
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any 
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that subparagraphs (i) and (ii) shall not apply if 
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by 
those subparagraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished 
to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to 
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are 
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
  
  
     (2)  For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities 
Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of Prospectus shall 
be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities 
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be 
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment 
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination 
of this offering.
  
     Insofar as indemnification by the Registrant for liabilities arising 
under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and 
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions referenced 
in Item 15 of this Registration Statement or otherwise, the Registrant has 
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities 
Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for 
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the 
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or 
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, 
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling 
person in connection with the securities being registered hereunder, the 
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been 
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate 
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against 
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the 
final adjudication of such issue.


                                      II-3

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES
     
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets 
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this 
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on 
the 12th day of May, 1998.
     
                                              MAXIM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.



                                              By: /s/ DALE A. SANDER  
                                                  ------------------------
                                                  Dale A. Sander
                                                  Vice President, Finance 
                                                  Chief Financial Officer

                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature 
appears below constitutes and appoints Larry G. Stambaugh as his true and 
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in his name, place and stead, in any 
and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective 
amendments) to the Registration Statement and to file the same, with exhibits 
thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full 
power and authority to perform each and every act and thing requisite and 
necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and 
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and conforming 
all that such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes 
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
  
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, 
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on 
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                                       <C>
/s/ LARRY G. STAMBAUGH         Chairman of the Board,                    May 12, 1998
- ---------------------------    President and Chief Executive Officer
Larry G. Stambaugh             (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
                               

/s/ DALE A. SANDER             Vice President, Finance,                  May 12, 1998
- ---------------------------    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Dale A. Sander                 (PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND 
                               ACCOUNTING OFFICER)

/s/ COLIN B. BIER, PH.D.       Director                                  May 12, 1998
- ---------------------------
Colin B. Bier, Ph.D.

/s/ G. STEVEN BURRILL          Director                                  May 12, 1998
- ---------------------------
G. Steven Burrill

/s/ PER-OLOF MORTENSSON        Director                                  May 12, 1998
- ---------------------------
Per-Olof Mortensson

/s/ F. DUWAINE TOWNSEN         Director                                  May 12, 1998
- ---------------------------
F. Duwaine Townsen
</TABLE>

   
                                      II-4

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number      Description
- --------    -----------
<S>         <C>

3.1         Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. (1)
3.2         Bylaws of Registrant. (1)
4.1         Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2.
4.2         Form of Common Stock Certificate. (1)
5.1         Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP.
10.1        Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers of the
            Registrant. (1)
10.2        Form of Representative's Warrant Agreement between the Company and
            National Securities Corporation, as representative of the several
            Underwriters (the "Representative"), including form of Representative's 
            Warrant Certificate. (1) 
10.3        Form of Warrant Agreement between the Company, the Representative
            and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, including form of
            Warrant Certificate. (1)
10.4        Option to Buy Technology and Rights Agreement, dated March 30, 1993,
            between the Registrant and Estero Anstalt. (1)(2)
10.5        Security Agreement, dated July 27,1993, between the Registrant and
            Estero Anstalt. (1)(2)
10.6        Exclusive License Agreement, dated June 14, 1995, among the
            Registrant, Jan Holmgren, M.D., Ph.D., Cecil Czerkinsky, Duotol AB
            and Triotol Ltd.  (1)(2)
10.7        Option and License Agreement, dated May 19, 1993, among the
            Registrant, Vitec AB and SBL Vaccin AB, as amended. (1)(2)
10.8        License Agreement dated January 14, 1994, among the Registrant,
            Vitec AB and SBL Vaccin, AB, as amended. (1)(2)
10.9        Agreement, dated December 2, 1995, among the Registrant, Syntello
            Vaccine Development AB and Estero Anstalt. (1)(2)
10.10       Agreement, dated April 23, 1996, among the Registrant, Anders
            Vahlne, M.D., Ph.D. and Syntello Vaccine Development AB. (1)(2)
10.11       Letter Agreement, dated February 15, 1996, between the Registrant
            and Burrill & Craves, Inc.(1)
10.12       Lease dated November 1, 1996 between DM Spectrum LLC, a California
            limited liability company, as Landlord and the Registrant for 3099
            Science Park Road, Suite 150, San Diego, California  92121. (3)
10.13       Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 5, 1996, by and between
            Dr. Anders Vahlne and the Registrant. (1)
10.14       Amended and Restated 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan and forms of
            stock option agreements. (4)
10.15       Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1997 between the Registrant
            and Kurt R. Gehlsen. (5)
10.16       Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1997 between the Registrant
            and Dale A. Sander. (5)
10.17       Employment Agreement dated November 5, 1997 between the Registrant
            and Larry G. Stambaugh. (5)
10.18       Loan and Security Agreement between the Registrant and Silicon
            Valley Bank. (6)
10.19       Financial Advisory Services Agreement between the Registrant and
            Rodman & Renshaw, Inc. dated September 17, 1997. (7)
10.20       Lease dated January 13, 1998 between British Pacific Properties
            Corporation, a California Corporation, as Landlord, and the
            Registrant. (8) 
10.21       Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated March 16, 1998,
            between the Registrant and Silicon Valley Bank. (9)
23.1        Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Auditors.
23.2        Consent of Cooley Godward LLP.  Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.
24.1        Power of Attorney.  Reference is made to page II-4.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

_______
(1)  Previously filed with Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
     SB-2 (File No. 333-4854-LA) and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)  Certain confidential portions deleted pursuant to Order Granting
     Application Under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 406 thereunder
     respecting confidential treatment.

(3)  Previously filed with Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File
     No. 1-4430) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 and
     incorporated herein by reference.

(4)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1996
     and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)  Previously filed with Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File
     No. 1-4430) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 and
     incorporated herein by reference.

(6)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 and
     incorporated herein by reference.

(7)  Previously filed with Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
     (File No. 333-35895), as amended through the date hereof, and      
     incorporated herein by reference.

(8)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1997
     and incorporated herein by reference.

(9)  Previously filed with Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 
     (File No. 1-4430) for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998 and 
     incorporated herein by reference.
                                          
                                          

<PAGE>
                                       
                                  EXHIBIT 5.1
                         CONSENT OF COOLEY GODWARD LLP
                        [COOLEY GODWARD LLP LETTERHEAD]
                                       
May 11, 1998

Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
8899 University Center Lance, Suite 200
San Diego, CA  92122

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection 
with the filing by Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") of a 
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") covering the offering 
of 75,000 shares on the Company's Common Stock to be sold by certain 
stockholders, as described in the Registration Statement (the "Shares").

In connection with this opinion, we have examined relied upon the 
Registration Statement, the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of 
Incorporation and Bylaws and the originals or copies certified to our 
satisfaction, of such records, documents, certificates, memoranda and other 
instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to 
render the opinion expressed below.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion 
that the Shares are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in 
the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the filing of 
this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

COOLEY GODWARD LLP


/s/ LANCE W. BRIDGES
- -----------------------
Lance W. Bridges, Esq.



<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT 23.1
                       CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


The Board of Directors
Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to 
the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Prospectus.

                                        KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


San Diego, California
May 11, 1998




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