UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D. C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 18, 2005

 

RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

 

1180 Veterans Boulevard

South San Francisco, CA 94080

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 624-1100

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 1.01.                                          Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On January 18, 2005, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. entered into a collaborative research and license agreement with Pfizer Inc. for the development of inhaled products for the treatment of allergic asthma and other respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

 

A copy of the press release further describing this collaboration is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.                                          Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c)                                  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated January 20, 2005, entitled “Rigel and Pfizer Sign Collaborative Research and License Agreement for the Treatment of Allergic Asthma and Other Respiratory Diseases.”

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

	RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Dated: January 20, 2005
	By:	/s/ James H. Welch
		James H. Welch
		Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated January 20, 2005, entitled “Rigel and Pfizer Sign Collaborative Research and License Agreement for the Treatment of Allergic Asthma and Other Respiratory Diseases.”

 

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