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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Matrix
Pharmaceutical, Inc. for the registration of 2,500,000 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
January 21, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Matrix Pharmaceutical, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
//S// Ernst & Young LLP
Palo Alto, California
July 14, 2000
