<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the 1994 Stock Option Plan, 1996 Stock
Option Plan, as amended, 2000 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and 2000 Equity Incentive Plan of our report dated
February 25, 2000, except for Note 11 as to which the date is July 21, 2000 and
Note 12 as to which the date is November 2, 2000, relating to the consolidated
financial statements of AeroGen, Inc., which appears in such registration
statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-44470).
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Jose, California
November 14, 2000
