<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
PALMER & DODGE LLP
ONE BEACON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108-3190
TELEPHONE: (617) 573-0100 FACSIMILE: (617) 227-4420
November 21, 2000
Antigenics Inc.
630 Fifth Street, Suite 2100
New York, New York 10111
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are rendering this opinion in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed by Antigenics Inc.
(the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, on or about the date hereof. The Registration Statement
relates to the registration of 264,520 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's
common stock, $.01 par value, issuable upon exercise of certain options held by
Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Aquila") employees and directors as provided
for under the terms of the agreement (the "Agreement") by which the Company
acquired Aquila.
We have acted as your counsel in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement and are familiar with the proceedings taken by the
Company in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Shares. We have
examined all such documents as we consider necessary to enable us to render this
opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have
been duly authorized for issuance and, when issued in accordance with the terms
of the Agreement, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ PALMER & DODGE LLP
