<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-08-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001068796</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MAXYGEN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MAXY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001101713</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RINGOLD GORDON</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MAXYGEN, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>515 GALVESTON DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>REDWOOD CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94063</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-08-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>70000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.25</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1106531</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Technogen</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>364996</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Technogen Associates, L.P. sold 70,000 shares of Maxygen common stock in aggregate on August 3, 2006.  After such sales, the amount of securities reported consists of 1,043,333 shares of Maxygen common stock held by Technogen Associates, L.P. and 63,198 shares of Maxygen common stock held by Technogen Enterprises, L.L.C.  Technogen Managers, L.L.C. is the general partner of Technogen Associates, L.P.  Dr. Ringold is a Managing Member of Technogen Enterprises, L.L.C. and Technogen Managers, L.L.C.  Dr. Ringold disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in the limited partnership and limited liability companies.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Gordon Ringold and Tanya Zarucki Trust</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Gordon Ringold</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
