EXHIBIT 5.1

 

 

September 17, 2009

 

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1180 Veterans Boulevard

South San Francisco, CA 94080

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) pursuant to Rule 462(b) of Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to an aggregate of up to $13,000,000 of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company (the “Shares”). The Shares are being registered for offering and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Securities Act Rules”). The Registration Statement incorporates by reference the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-148838), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2008, as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2009, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009 and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2009 (the “Related Registration Statement”), including the prospectus which forms a part of the Related Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented from time to time by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

 

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, certificates, opinions, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon certificates of the officers of the Company and have not sought to independently verify such matters.

 

In rendering this opinion, we have assumed: (i) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures on original documents; (ii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals; (iii) the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; (iv) the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials; and (v) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness of such documents. We have also assumed that, at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock is authorized and reserved or available for issuance and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of such shares of Common Stock is not less than the par value of the Common Stock, and that, prior to any offering and sale of the Shares, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, will duly authorize the price at which the Shares are to be issued and sold.

 

FIVE PALO ALTO SQUARE, 3000 EL CAMINO REAL, PALO ALTO, CA 94306-2155 T: (650) 843-5000 F: (650) 849-7400 WWW.COOLEY.COM

 

 

Our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the federal laws of the United States and the Delaware General Corporation Law. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any jurisdiction are applicable to the subject matter hereof. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state antifraud law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

 

On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications herein stated, we are of the opinion that, with respect to any offering of the Shares, provided that: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended, has become effective; (ii) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Shares has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Securities Act Rules; (iii) if the Shares are to be sold pursuant to a purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, such agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto and has become a valid and binding agreement of the Company; (iv) the Board, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of the Shares and related matters; and (v) the issuance and sale of the Shares do not violate any applicable law or the operative certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, then the Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with any duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement included in the Registration Statement and the Related Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
/s/ Chadwick L. Mills
Chadwick L. Mills