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EXHIBIT 5
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
617 542 6000
617 542 2241 fax
January 2, 2001
Orchid BioSciences, Inc.
303 College Road East
Princeton, NJ 08540
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Orchid BioSciences, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement"), pursuant to which the Company is registering the
issuance under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 4,769,184
shares (the "Shares") of its common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"). This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration
Statement.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, both as currently in effect; such
other records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and certificates of
the Company's officers as we have deemed relevant; and the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted
to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents
submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the
originals of such copies.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares have
been duly and validly authorized by the Company and (ii) the Shares, when sold,
will have been duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of
the Common Stock, free of preemptive rights.
Our opinion is limited to the General Corporation Laws of the State of
Delaware and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other
jurisdiction. No opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification
of the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign
jurisdiction.
Boston New York Reston Washington New Haven
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MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO, P.C.
January 2, 2001
Page 2
We understand that you wish to file this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and we hereby consent thereto.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
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Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
