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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 F+1lnFhkEvs+ND7o80LEUZlEfxbpLw+5N11O2dpB7Rw4MneHJxKEvT4OCxsQa/UA
 0M8sl88UeK0kTT9uVTQqlw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-05-014967.txt : 20050310
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-05-014967.hdr.sgml : 20050310
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050310184015
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-05-014967
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050309
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050310
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050310

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001012140
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836]
		IRS NUMBER:				943154463
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2100 POWELL STREET
		CITY:			EMERYVILLE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94608
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5105976500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2100 POWELL STREET
		CITY:			EMERYVILLE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94608

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WIGGANS THOMAS G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001208907

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28298
		FILM NUMBER:		05673542

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CONNETICS CORP
		STREET 2:		3290 WEST BAYSHORE ROAD
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94303
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6508432800
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001012140</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ONXX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001208907</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WIGGANS THOMAS G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2100 POWELL ST., 12TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EMERYVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94608</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No securities held</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas G. Wiggans</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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