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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001178711</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOVACEA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NOVC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001237289</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SANDELL SCOTT D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1119 ST. PAUL STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BALTIMORE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>21202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series B Preferred Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2086411</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Note 4</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series C Preferred Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1660458</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Note 4</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each share of preferred stock will automatically convert into common stock upon the closing of the Issuer's initial public offering.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The securities are immediately convertible.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The expiration date is not relevant to the conversion of these securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The Reporting Person is a general partner of NEA Partners 10, Limited Partnership, which is the sole general partner of New Enterprise Associates 10, Limited Partnership (&quot;NEA 10&quot;), the beneficial owner of the securities.  The Reporting Person disclaims ownership, within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of the securities held by NEA 10, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>In addition to the shares reported herein, NEA Ventures 2002, L.P. owns Series B Preferred shares convertible into 4,181 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer.  The Reporting Person does not have voting nor dispositive power over such shares.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership, within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of such portion of those shares in which the Reporting Person has no actual pecuniary interest therein.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Louis S. Citron, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
