Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of 2,667,159 shares of Common Stock pertaining to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, 88,888 shares of Common Stock pertaining to the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and 225,000 shares of Common Stock pertaining to the 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 10, 2005, with respect to the financial statements of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its Annual Report on (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2004, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG, LLP

 

Palo Alto, California

June 15, 2005