CRESCENDO PHARMACEUTICALS CORP
10-Q, 1999-08-16
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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                           UNITED STATES
                 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D.C. 20549

                             FORM 10-Q



  X        Quarterly  Report Pursuant to Section 13  or  15(d)  of  the
     Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 for the quarterly  period  ended
     June 30, 1999

                                 or

          Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from
     __________ to __________

                   Commission File Number 0-22927

               CRESCENDO PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
       (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Delaware                                77-0460388
 (State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

1454 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, California                  94304
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (650) 494-5600


      Indicate  by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed  all
reports  required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange  Act  of  1934 during the preceding 12  months  (or  for  such
shorter  period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and  (2)  has  been subject to such filing requirements  for  the  past
90 days.

                         Yes _X__  No


Number  of  shares outstanding of each of the registrant's  classes  of
common stock as of July 30, 1999:

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value - 4,932,870 shares

Class B Common Stock, $1.00 par value - 1,000 shares



                 CRESCENDO PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
                    FORM 10-Q for the Quarter Ended
                             June 30, 1999


                                 INDEX


Part I. Financial Information


Item 1. Financial Statements

     Condensed Statements of Operations                         3
     Condensed Balance Sheets                                   4
     Condensed Statements of Cash Flows                         5
     Notes to Condensed Financial Statements                 6-13

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
     Financial Condition and Results of Operations          13-16

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
      about Market Risk                                         16

Part II. Other Information


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                        17


Signatures                                                      18


Exhibits

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements

                 Crescendo Pharmaceuticals Corporation
                     (a development stage company)

            Condensed Statements of Operations (unaudited)
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                       Period from
                         Three months    Six months      inception
                            ended          ended      (June 26, 1997)
                           June 30,        June 30,       to June 30,
                        1999     1998    1999     1998       1999

Revenues:
 Net interest and
  investment income   $ 2,057  $3,364    $4,318  $ 7,202    $  22,313
 Royalty revenue          430       -       920        -          920
                   				________________________________________________
   Total revenues       2,487   3,364     5,238    7,202       23,233

Expenses:
 Research & development
  performed under
  contract with ALZA
  Corporation (a related
  party)              		31,866   28,606   54,140  50,031      192,385
General & administrative   290      378      560     673        2,121
                        _________________________________________________
   Total expenses       32,156   28,984   54,700  50,704      194,506
                        _________________________________________________

Net loss before taxes $(29,669) (25,620) $(49,462)$(43,502)  $(171,273)

Income taxes                 -        -         -        -       2,425

                      __________________________________________________
Net loss              $(29,669)$(25,620) $(49,462)$(43,502)  $(173,698)

                      ==================================================
Net loss per
 common share

   Basic and Diluted  $ (5.98) $  (5.16) $  (9.96) $(8.76)   $(39.91)
                      ===================================================


See accompanying notes.
                 Crescendo Pharmaceuticals Corporation
                     (a development stage company)

                 Condensed Balance Sheets (unaudited)
     (in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)


                                          June 30,  December 31,
                                            1999         1998

ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents            $  52,279      $ 54,326
   Short-term investments                  46,526        57,410
   Interest receivable                        786         1,861
   Prepaid expenses and other
  	 current assets          		              2,903           627
                                      _________________________________
      Total current assets                 102,494       114,224

Employee loan                                  300           300
Long-term investments                       40,785        79,387
                                      __________________________________
       Total assets                      $ 143,579      $193,911
                                      ==================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Payable to ALZA Corporation
     ( a related party)               $     17,966   $    17,596
   Accrued liabilities                          70            77
                                        _____________________________
      Total current liabilities             18,036        17,673

Stockholders' equity:

   Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value,
    6,000,000 shares authorized; 4,932,870
    and 4,965,470 shares issued and
    outstanding at June 30, 1999 and
    December 31, 1998, respectively             49            50
   Class B Common Stock, $1.00 par value,
    1,000 shares authorized, issued and
    outstanding                             				 1             1
   Additional paid-in capital              299,401       299,949
   Accumulated other comprehensive
     (loss) income				                        (210)          474
   Deficit accumulated during development
     stage				                          		(173,698)     (124,236)
                                      ________________________________
      Total stockholders' equity           125,543       176,238
                                      ________________________________
       Total liabilities and
         stockholders' equity     		  $    143,579      $193,911
                                      ================================
See accompanying notes.

			Crescendo Pharmaceuticals Corporation
                    (a development stage company)

           Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
         Increases (Decreases) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
                           (in thousands)

                                                        Period from
                                                         inception
                                  Six months ended     (June 26,1997)
                                       June 30,          to June 30,
                                    1999        1998        1999
                                ______________________________________
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss                           $(49,462)  $(43,502)    $(173,698)
 Non-cash adjustments to reconcile
    net loss to net cash used in
    operating activities:
 (Increase) decrease in assets:
 Interest receivable                  1,075     (1,382)         (786)
   Prepaid expenses and other
      assets	             	  	       (2,276)      (200)       (2,903)
   Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
       Payable to ALZA Corporation      370        996        17,966
       Accrued liabilities               (7)        67            70
                                 ________________________________________
   Total adjustments                   (838)      (519)       14,347

Net cash used in
  operating activities              (50,300)   (44,021)     (159,351)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Purchases of available-for-sale
    securities                     	(12,042)  (101,299)     (228,660)
 Sales of available-for-sale
    securities                       55,843     24,537       136,138
 Maturities of available-for-sale
    securities                        5,000          -         5,000
 Employee loan, long-term                 -          -          (300)
                                __________________________________________
Net cash provided by (used in)
  investing activities               48,801    (76,762)      (87,822)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Issuance of common stock to
    ALZA Corporation                      -          -       300,000
 Repurchase of common stock            (548)         -          (548)

          			              ____________________________________________
Net cash (used in) provided by
  financing activities                 (548)         -       299,452
	                          ___________________________________________
Net (decrease) increase in cash and
 cash equivalents                    (2,047)  (120,783)       52,279
                                ____________________________________________
Cash and cash equivalents
   at beginning of period            54,326    179,971             -
                                ____________________________________________
Cash and cash equivalents
   at end of period                 $52,279    $59,188       $52,279
                                =============================================
See accompanying notes.


Crescendo Pharmaceuticals Corporation
(a development stage company)

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)

Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

   Crescendo Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("Crescendo") was
incorporated in Delaware on June 26, 1997 and commenced operations
on September 30, 1997.  Crescendo was formed for the purpose of
selecting and developing human pharmaceutical products (the
"Crescendo Products") and commercializing such products, most likely
through licensing to ALZA Corporation ("ALZA").  Since its
formation, Crescendo's principal activity has been conducting
product development under its agreements with ALZA.  In accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, Crescendo is
considered a development stage company.

   The information at June 30, 1999, for the three months and six
months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998, and for the period from
inception (June 26, 1997) through June 30, 1999 is unaudited, and
includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) that the management of Crescendo believes necessary for
fair presentation of the results for the periods presented.  Interim
results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full
year.  The balance sheet for December 31, 1998 was derived from the
audited balance sheet.  The financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying
notes for the year ended December 31, 1998 included in Crescendo's
1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Accounting for Revenues and Expenses

   At June 30, 1999, Crescendo's revenue consisted of interest and
investment income and royalty revenue.  Beginning in the first
quarter of 1999, Crescendo accrued royalty revenue based on net
sales of one Crescendo Product licensed by ALZA.  Royalties are
recognized in the period in which earned (the period in which
product sales are made by third parties from whom Crescendo
receives, directly or indirectly, product royalties).

   Crescendo has incurred and expects to incur most of its expenses
under its agreements with ALZA.  Development Costs paid to ALZA
under a Development Agreement, and amounts paid to ALZA under a
Services Agreement, are recorded as research and development
expenses and general and administrative expenses, respectively, and
are recognized on an accrual basis as incurred.  These expenses are
recorded in the period in which services have been provided by ALZA
to Crescendo or in which expenses have been incurred by ALZA on
behalf of Crescendo.  The Technology Fee (described below) paid to
ALZA under a Technology License Agreement is recorded monthly, as
incurred, as research and development expense.  See Note 4 for a
description of the agreements between Crescendo and ALZA.

Investment Risk

    Crescendo invests excess cash in money market and fixed income
securities of banks and companies with strong credit ratings, from a
variety of industries, and in U.S. government obligations.  These
securities typically bear minimal risk and Crescendo has not
experienced any losses on its investments due to institutional failure
or bankruptcy.  Crescendo's investment policy is designed to limit
exposure with any one institution.

Use of Estimates

    The preparation of financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the
financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could
differ from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments

     Cash and cash equivalents include cash balances and investments
with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Short-term investments include commercial paper and other highly
liquid investments with maturities less than one year.  Cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments are stated at their fair
value.

Comprehensive Loss

     During the three and six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,
comprehensive loss was not materially different from reported net
loss.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133 ("SFAS
133"), "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities".  This statement establishes accounting and reporting
standards requiring that every derivative instrument, including
certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be
recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability
measured at its fair value.  The statement also requires that
changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized in earnings
unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.  Crescendo
believes the adoption of SFAS 133 will not have a material effect on
its financial statements.  In June 1999, the FASB issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date
of SFAS 133".  As a result, Crescendo is required to adopt SFAS 133
in the fiscal year 2001.

Note 2. Investments

     Crescendo has classified its entire investment portfolio,
including cash and cash equivalents of approximately $52.3 million
and $54.3 million at June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively, as
available-for-sale. Investments in the available-for-sale category
are generally carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and
losses recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity.
Realized gains and losses for the three and six months ended June
30, 1999 and June 30, 1998 were not material.  The cost of
securities when sold is based upon specific identification.

     The following is a summary of Crescendo's investment portfolio
at June 30, 1999 (in thousands):

                          Available-for-Sale Securities
                   _______________________________________________
                                                       Estimated
                   Amortized   Unrealized  Unrealized    Fair
                      Cost       Gains       Losses     Value
                   _______________________________________________

U.S. Treasury
 securities and obligations
 of U.S. government
 agencies            $34,916     $ 12       $(53)     $  34,875

Collateralized
 Mortgage obligations
  and asset backed
  securities          22,294        -       (153)        22,141

Corporate debt
  securities          36,170       21        (37)        36,154

Money market funds    46,420        -          -         46,420
                    ____________________________________________
                    $139,800    $  33      $(243)     $ 139,590
                    ============================================

     The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at June
30, 1999, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands).
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because
the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay
obligations without prepayment penalties.

                                                 Estimated
                                 Amortized        Fair
                                   Cost            Value
                             __________________________________
Due in one year or less        $  80,423        $   80,410
Due after one year
   through three years            18,455            18,486
Due after three years through
 five years                       40,922            40,694
                             __________________________________
                               $ 139,800        $  139,590
                             ==================================


Note 3. Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock Repurchase

    On May 27, 1999, Crescendo's board of directors announced a program
under which Crescendo may purchase shares of Crescendo Class A Common
Stock (the "Crescendo Shares") in the open market from time to time
using product payments received from ALZA.  Crescendo has purchased
32,600 Crescendo Shares under this program.  All repurchased shares
have been retired.  The excess of the purchase price of the Crescendo
Shares over their stated value has been reflected as a decrease in
additional paid-in capital on the accompanying balance sheet.

Per Share Information

      Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the
weighted average common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted
loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted
average common shares outstanding for the period plus the dilutive
effect of stock options.

     The following table sets forth the computation of Crescendo's
basic and diluted loss per share:

                                                        Period from
                    Three months      Six months         inception
                      ended            ended         (June 26, 1997)
                     June 30,         June 30,         to June 30,
                  1999      1998     1999     1998         1999
              			__________________________________________________
NUMERATOR
(in thousands):
Basic and Diluted
Net loss         $(29,669) $(25,620)$(49,462)$(43,502)   $(173,698)
                 ==================================================

DENOMINATOR
(in thousands):
Basic and Diluted
Weighted average
  shares
  outstanding       4,962     4,966    4,964    4,966       4,352
                 ===================================================
Basic and Diluted
  net loss
 per share       $ (5.98)   $ (5.16) $ (9.96) $ (8.76)   $ (39.91)
                 ===================================================

     The potentially dilutive effect of outstanding options to
purchase 100,000 Crescendo Shares would have been anti-dilutive in
the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998, and
for the period from inception through June 30, 1999, and they were
therefore excluded from the diluted per share calculations.

Note 4. Arrangements with ALZA Corporation

    On September 29, 1997, ALZA contributed $300 million in cash to
Crescendo.  On September 30, 1997, all of the Crescendo Shares (a
total of 4,965,470 shares) were distributed to the holders of ALZA
common stock and ALZA's convertible subordinated debentures.
Crescendo Shares are traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market-Service Mark-
under the symbol "CNDO." ALZA holds 1,000 shares of Crescendo Class
B Common Stock.

    In connection with ALZA's contribution to Crescendo and the
distribution of Crescendo Shares, Crescendo and ALZA entered into a
number of agreements, including a Development Agreement, Technology
License Agreement, License Option Agreement and Services Agreement,
discussed below.  During the second quarter of 1999, a merger
agreement between ALZA and Abbott Laboratories was announced.  The
acquisition of ALZA by Abbott would not affect any of the agreements
between ALZA and Crescendo.  The completion of the acquisition could
affect the proposals for product development from ALZA to Crescendo
and therefore, the rate at which Crescendo utilizes its Available
Funds (defined below).

    Crescendo and ALZA have a Development Agreement pursuant to
which ALZA conducts product development and related activities on
behalf of Crescendo under work plans and cost estimates which have
been proposed by ALZA and approved by Crescendo.  Crescendo is
required to utilize the cash initially contributed to it by ALZA
plus interest thereon, less Crescendo's administrative expenses, the
Technology Fee paid to ALZA and reserves of up to $2 million (the
"Available Funds") to conduct activities under the Development
Agreement.

    Under the Development Agreement, Crescendo initially agreed to
fund the development of seven products (the "Initial Products").  As
of June 30, 1999, three of the Initial Products (OROS-Registered
Trademark- oxybutynin, DUROS-Trademark- leuprolide and OROS-
Registered Trademark- methylphenidate) remained in active
development and/or had been licensed by ALZA.  In May, a New Drug
Application ("NDA") was submitted to the United States Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA") for DUROS leuprolide.  Research and
development expenses for the three months and six months ended June
30, 1999 were approximately $31.9 million and $54.1 million,
respectively.  This compares with approximately $28.6 million and
$50.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998,
respectively.  All periods include a Technology Fee paid by
Crescendo to ALZA.  For the period from inception (June 26, 1997)
through June 30, 1999, Crescendo recorded research and development
expenses of approximately $192.4 million.

   Crescendo and ALZA have a Technology License Agreement pursuant
to which ALZA has granted to Crescendo a worldwide license to use
ALZA technology solely to select and develop Crescendo Products, to
conduct related activities, and to commercialize such products.  In
exchange for the license to use existing ALZA technology relating to
the Initial Products, Crescendo pays a Technology Fee to ALZA,
payable monthly over a period of three years, in the amount of $1
million per month for the first 12 months following the distribution
of Crescendo Shares, $667,000 per month (beginning in September
1998) for the following 12 months and $333,000 per month for the
next 12 months (the "Technology Fee").  The Technology Fee will no
longer be payable at such time as fewer than two of the Initial
Products are being developed by Crescendo and/or have been licensed
by ALZA pursuant to the License Option (defined below). Crescendo
recorded a Technology Fee of $2 million, $3 million, $4 million, and
$6 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999
and 1998, respectively. For the period from inception (June 26,
1997) through June 30, 1999, Crescendo recorded $18.7 million of
Technology Fee expense.  The Technology Fee is included in research
and development expenses.

    Pursuant to the License Option Agreement entered into by
Crescendo and ALZA, Crescendo has granted ALZA an option to acquire
a license to each Crescendo Product (the "License Option").  The
License Option for any such Crescendo Product is exercisable on a
country-by-country basis at any time until (i) with respect to the
United States, 30 days after clearance by the FDA to market such
Crescendo Product in the United States and (ii) with respect to any
other country, 90 days after the earlier of (a) clearance by the
appropriate regulatory agency to market the Crescendo Product in
such country and (b) clearance by the FDA to market the Crescendo
Product in the United States. The License Option will expire, to the
extent not previously exercised, 30 days after the expiration of
ALZA's option to purchase all of the outstanding Crescendo Shares,
described below.  If and to the extent the License Option is
exercised as to any Crescendo Product, ALZA will acquire a
perpetual, exclusive license (with the right to sublicense) to
develop, make, have made and use the licensed product, and to sell
and have sold the licensed product in the country or countries as to
which the License Option is exercised.

     Under the License Agreement for each licensed product (a form
of which is attached to the License Option Agreement), ALZA will
make payments to Crescendo with respect to the licensed product
equal to 1% of net sales of the licensed product by ALZA and its
sublicensees, distributors and marketing partners, plus an
additional 0.1% of such net sales for each full $1 million of
Development Costs (as defined in the Development Agreement) of the
licensed product that have been paid by Crescendo, not to exceed
2.5% of net sales in the first year a licensed product is sold in a
major market country, and not to exceed 3% for the following two
years.  ALZA has the right to buy out Crescendo's right to receive
payments for licensed products on a country-by-country or global
basis in accordance with a formula set forth in the License
Agreement.

    In December 1998, ALZA exercised its option to obtain a worldwide
license to OROS oxbutynin from Crescendo.  ALZA launched the product in
the United States as Ditropan-Registered Trademark- XL on February 1,
1999.  Under the terms of the license agreement between Crescendo and
ALZA, Crescendo will receive payments from ALZA based on worldwide net
sales of the product.  For the first three years the rates will be
2.5%, 3.0%, and 3.0% of net sales, respectively; thereafter the rate is
expected to be between 5 and 6%, based on the Development Costs of the
product to date and future anticipated Development Costs to be paid by
Crescendo.  In the second quarter of 1999, Crescendo accrued royalty
revenue of approximately $430,000, based on ALZA's second quarter 1999
sales of Ditropan XL.  Crescendo's accrued royalty revenue for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 was approximately $920,000.

    Pursuant to Crescendo's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, ALZA
has a purchase option which gives ALZA the right to purchase all (but
not less than all) of the Crescendo Shares (the "Purchase Option").
The Purchase Option is exercisable by written notice to Crescendo at
any time until January 31, 2002, provided that such date will be
extended for successive six month periods if, as of any July 31 or
January 31 beginning with July 31, 2001, Crescendo has not paid (or
accrued expenses for) at least 95% of Available Funds pursuant to the
Development Agreement. In any event, the Purchase Option will terminate
on the 60th day after Crescendo provides ALZA with a statement that, as
of the end of any calendar month, there are less than $2.5 million of
Available Funds remaining, accompanied by a report of Crescendo's
independent auditors.

   If the Purchase Option is exercised, the exercise price will be
the greatest of:

 (a)(i) 25 times the actual payments made by or due from ALZA to
   Crescendo under the Development Agreement and the License
   Agreement for any product (and, in addition, such payments as
   would have been made by or due from ALZA to Crescendo if ALZA had
   not previously exercised its payment buy-out option with respect
   to any such payments) for the four calendar quarters immediately
   preceding the quarter in which the Purchase Option is exercised
   (provided, however, that for any product which has not been
   commercially sold during each of such four calendar quarters, the
   portion of the exercise price for such product will be 100 times
   the average of the quarterly payments made by or due from ALZA to
   Crescendo for each of such calendar quarters during which such
   product was commercially sold) less (ii) any amounts previously
   paid to exercise any payment buy-out option;

 (b) the fair market value of one million shares of ALZA common
   stock;

 (c) $325 million less all amounts paid by or due from Crescendo
   under the Development Agreement to the date the Purchase Option
   is exercised; and

 (d) $100 million.

   In each case, the amount payable as the Purchase Option exercise
price will be reduced to the extent, if any, that Crescendo's
liabilities at the time of exercise (other than liabilities under
the Development Agreement, the Technology License Agreement and the
Services Agreement, described below) exceed Crescendo's cash and
cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments
(excluding the amount of Available Funds remaining at such time).
ALZA may pay the exercise price in cash, in ALZA common stock or in
any combination of cash and ALZA common stock.

   Crescendo and ALZA have a Services Agreement pursuant to which
ALZA provides certain administrative services, including accounting
and legal services, to Crescendo.  Specified charges for such
services are generally intended to allow ALZA to recover its direct
costs of providing the services, including fully-allocated overhead,
plus all out of pocket costs and expenses, but without any profit
(i.e. ALZA's fully-burdened cost).  The Services Agreement
originally had a one-year term and is renewed automatically for
successive one-year terms during the term of the Development
Agreement, unless terminated by Crescendo at any time upon 60 days'
written notice.  General and administrative expenses incurred under
this agreement were approximately $15,000 and $61,000 for the three
months and six months ended June 30, 1999, as compared with $75,000
and $125,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998.
General and administrative expenses incurred under the Services
Agreement for the period from inception (June 26, 1997) through June
30, 1999 were approximately $296,000.  Crescendo accrues on a
monthly basis these expenses, which include (i) third party direct
expenses paid by ALZA on behalf of Crescendo; (ii) actual salaries,
including benefits, of ALZA's personnel performing services for
Crescendo; and (iii) ALZA's standard administrative overhead charge,
calculated as a percent of salaries.

    At June 30, 1999, the amount payable to ALZA under the
Development Agreement was approximately $18.0 million.

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition
          and Results of Operations


Notice Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    Some of the statements made in this Form 10-Q, and particularly
in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations, are forward-looking in nature.  Forward-
looking statements include but are not limited to statements that
are not historical facts and statements including forms of the words
"intend", "believe", "will", "may", "could", "expect", "anticipate",
"possible" and similar terms.  The occurrence of the events
described, and the achievement of the intended results, are subject
to the future occurrence of many events, some or all of which are
not predictable or within Crescendo's control (including without
limitation any possible future actions by ALZA or in the event of a
merger between ALZA and Abbott, by Abbott), and various risk
factors; therefore, actual results may differ materially from those
anticipated in any forward-looking statements.  The significant
risks related to Crescendo's business are those associated with
product selection, technology and product development, clinical
development, product manufacturing, regulatory clearance to market
products, changes in the health care marketplace, patent and
intellectual property matters, medical and market acceptance of
products (including third party reimbursement), commercializing
products (including competition), conflicts of interest between ALZA
and Crescendo and the risk of a lack of funds to complete the
development of products.  Such risks are described in more detail in
Crescendo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1998.

Results of Operations

     Revenues, consisting of net interest and investment income
earned on invested funds, and royalty revenue, were approximately
$2.5 million and $5.2 million for the three months and six months
ended June 30, 1999, as compared with approximately $3.4 million and
$7.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998.
Revenue for the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999
included product payments of approximately $430,000 and $920,000,
respectively, resulting from sales by ALZA of Ditropan XL.  ALZA
launched the product in the United States on February 1, 1999.  For
the period from Crescendo's inception (June 26, 1997) through June
30, 1999, total revenues were approximately $23.2 million.  As
Crescendo's funds are used under the Development Agreement and to
pay the Technology Fee, lower cash balances will be available for
investment and, therefore, interest and investment income has been
and is expected to continue decreasing.

     Crescendo incurred research and development expenses of
approximately $31.9 million and $54.1 million for the three months
and six months ended June 30, 1999, as compared with approximately
$28.6 million and $50.0 million in the three and six months ended
June 30,1998.  For the period from inception (June 26, 1997) through
June 30, 1999, Crescendo recorded research and development expenses
of approximately $192.4 million.  These expenses related primarily
to development of the Crescendo Products and include payment of the
Technology Fee.  The Technology Fee paid to ALZA was $2.0 million
and $4.0 million for the three months and six months ended June 30,
1999, as compared with $3.0 million and $6.0 million for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1998 ($18.7 million from inception
(June 26, 1997) through June 30, 1999).  Total Crescendo research
and development expenses for the second half of 1999 are expected to
continue at approximately the same level as the first half of 1999,
although quarterly fluctuations can be expected.

     General and administrative expenses for the three months and
six months ended June 30, 1999 were approximately $0.3 million and
$0.6 million, as compared with $0.4 million and $0.7 million for the
three and six months ended June 30, 1998.  For the period from
inception (June 26, 1997) through June 30, 1999, general and
administrative expenses were approximately $2.1 million.  Expenses
incurred by Crescendo under its Services Agreement with ALZA were
approximately $15,000 and $61,000 for the three months and six
months ended June 30, 1999, as compared with approximately $75,000
and $125,000 for the three and six months ended June 30,1998.  For
the period from inception (June 26, 1997) through June 30, 1999,
expenses incurred by Crescendo under its Services Agreement with
ALZA were approximately $296,000.  It is anticipated that general
and administrative expenses will remain at approximately current
levels during 1999.

     The results of operations of Crescendo currently reflect
primarily interest and investment income on the funds contributed by
ALZA, royalty revenue received by ALZA, and research and development
expenses related to development of Crescendo Products and the
Technology Fee.  The relevant contribution to Crescendo's revenues
from royalty income is expected to increase as interest and
investment income continues to decrease.  Crescendo's net loss for
the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999 was
approximately $29.7 million or $5.98 per share and $49.5 million or
$9.96 per share, respectively, as compared with approximately $25.6
million or $5.16 per share and $43.5 million or $8.76 per share for
the three months and six months ended June 30, 1998, respectively.
The net loss from its inception (June 26, 1997) through June 30,
1999 was approximately $173.7 million or $39.91 per share.
Crescendo is expected to continue to record significant net losses
in future periods, as product development expenses under its
agreements with ALZA are expected to continue to exceed income.

Year 2000 Readiness

     Crescendo is reliant upon the QuickBooks Pro Version 5.0
software application to record financial information relating to its
business activities.  This accounting software has been represented
by the manufacturer to be Year 2000 compliant.

     In addition to its internal system, Crescendo is also reliant
upon the capabilities of the computer systems of its vendors,
contractors (including ALZA for administrative functions under the
Services Agreement and for contractual research and development),
U.S. government agencies, and its investment managers.  In order to
determine the level of Year 2000 compliance of vendors, contractors
and investment managers, Crescendo has ongoing communications with
third parties with whom it has material direct business
relationships.  All of Crescendo's investment managers have
confirmed that they are Year 2000 compliant.  If any third parties
experience failures in their computer systems due to Year 2000 non-
compliance, this failure could materially affect Crescendo's ability
to engage in normal business activities and, in particular, the
status of certain product development activities being conducted by
ALZA.

     Crescendo has not incurred any material costs in connection
with its Year 2000 assessment and no conversion of its internal
system is required. Due to the general uncertainty surrounding the
Year 2000 readiness of third parties upon whom Crescendo relies,
Crescendo is unable to determine at this time whether or to what
extent Year 2000 failures will have a material impact on its
operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     On September 29, 1997, ALZA contributed $300 million in cash to
Crescendo in exchange for the Crescendo Shares.  The funds
contributed by ALZA, plus investment income earned thereon, are used
primarily to fund the development of Crescendo Products and to
conduct related activities.  These funds, to the extent not
immediately required for development activities, are invested in low-
risk securities.

     At June 30, 1999, and December 31, 1998, Crescendo had cash,
cash equivalents and short-and long-term investments of
approximately $139.6 million and $191.1 million, respectively.  As
Crescendo's funds continue to be utilized under the Development
Agreement and to pay the Technology Fee to ALZA, increasingly lower
cash balances will be available for investment.

    Based on anticipated spending levels for the continued development
of all the Crescendo Products currently under development, it is
expected that Crescendo's Available Funds will be exhausted during the
year 2000. At that time, product development funding by Crescendo will
cease.  However, several factors could impact the level and timing of
Crescendo funding, including the addition of any new Crescendo
Products, the discontinuation of the development of any Crescendo
Products, any commercial arrangements between ALZA and other companies
which would cause ALZA to exercise its License Option with respect to
any Crescendo Product, any change (whether as a result of ALZA's merger
with Abbott or otherwise) in the number of projects advancing to or
continuing in later stages of development or any adjustments in the
rate of spending on Crescendo Products currently in development.

    As of June 30, 1999, Crescendo had $122.8 million of Available
Funds remaining.  When Crescendo's Available Funds are exhausted,
certain critical timetables will be triggered.  First, ALZA's Purchase
Option with respect to all of the Crescendo Shares will terminate on
the 60th day after Crescendo provides ALZA with a statement that, as of
the end of any calendar month, there are less than $2.5 million of
Available Funds remaining, accompanied by a report of Crescendo's
independent auditors.  In addition, ALZA has the right, for 30 days
after expiration of the Purchase Option, to license any or all
Crescendo Products which have not yet been licensed, on a product-by-
product and country-by-country basis.  ALZA is under no obligation to
exercise the Purchase Option, or the License Option with respect to any
Crescendo Product or all Crescendo Products and will do so only if ALZA
determines that it is in the best interests of ALZA and its
stockholders at the time the decision is made.  In the event that ALZA
does not exercise the Purchase Option, or the License Option for all
Crescendo Products, after Available Funds are exhausted, Crescendo will
not have funds to continue or complete development of any remaining
Crescendo Products.  It is not likely that Crescendo would be able to
raise any additional funds during the period when ALZA's Purchase
Option is outstanding, because of the existence of such option.  After
the expiration of the Purchase Option, if it is not exercised,
Crescendo's ability to obtain additional funding will be subject to the
perception of those investors with funds available, or the public
markets, of the value of Crescendo's portfolio.

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     For a discussion of financial market risks related to changes
in interest rates are described in Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, in Crescendo's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   (a)    Exhibits:

     27   Financial Data Schedule


   (b)    No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter.



                             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 thereunto duly authorized.




                              Crescendo Pharmaceuticals Corporation



Date: August 13, 1999              By:     /s/ Gary L. Neil
                                   _________________________________
                                             Gary L. Neil
                                            President and
                                        Chief Executive Officer


Date: August 13, 1999              By:    /s/ David R. Hoffmann
                                   _________________________________
                                          David R. Hoffmann
                                          Vice President, Finance
                                            and Secretary


























                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit

27    Financial Data Schedule













































<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The financial information contained herein has been extracted from the financial
statements included in Part I, Item 1 of Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          52,279
<SECURITIES>                                    46,526
<RECEIVABLES>                                      786
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               102,494
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 143,579
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,036
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            50
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,493
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   143,579
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,238
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,140
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (49,462)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (49,462)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (49,462)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (9.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (9.96)


</TABLE>


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