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[COOLEY GODWARD LLP LETTERHEAD]
February 25, 1998
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attn: M. Kathleen Haller, Esq. And John L. Krug, Esq.
RE: RIBOGENE, INC.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ON FORM 8-A (FILE NO. 000-23595)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of RiboGene, Inc. (the "Registrant"), we hereby request that the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, File No. 000-23595 (the "Form
8-A"), filed with the Commission on January 7, 1998, be withdrawn. We are
requesting withdrawal of the Form 8-A so that the Form 8-A does not become
effective prior to the effectiveness of the Form S-1. The Registrant intends to
refile the Form 8-A prior to the time the Form S-1 becomes effective.
If you have any comments or questions concerning this request, please call
me at (650) 843-5186 or, in my absence, Lana K. Hawkins at (650) 843-5111.
Very truly yours,
COOLEY GODWARD LLP
Paul D. Huie
cc: Timothy E. Morris
Robert J. Brigham, Esq.
Lana K. Hawkins, Esq.