EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Onyx
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of 2,000,000 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February
18, 2000, with respect to the financial statements of Onyx Pharmaceuticals
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


Palo Alto, California
July 12, 2000