<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts"
in this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related
Prospectus of Trega Biosciences, Inc. for the registration of 3,886,668
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of
our report dated January 27, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Trega Biosciences, 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
San Diego, California
August 16, 2000
