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

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-04-18</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000880771</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SCLN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001291895</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Barrett Peter</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>25 FIRST STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 303</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CAMBRIDGE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02141</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1972189</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Atlas Venture Fund VII, L.P.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.47</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-04-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Atlas Venture Advisors, Inc.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares are held directly by Atlas Venture Fund VII, L.P. (&quot;Atlas VII&quot;). Mr. Barrett is a director of Atlas Venture Associates VII, Inc., the general partner of Atlas Venture Associates VII, L.P., the general partner of Atlas Venture Fund VII, L.P. In such capacity he may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power of the shares held by Atlas VII. Mr. Barrett disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Granted under the Issuer's 2004 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The option vests in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of service as an outsider director of the Issuer, beginning April 18, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">This option was granted to Peter Barrett, a director of the Issuer. The proceeds of any sale of the Issuer's common stock issued to Mr. Barrett upon the exercise of this option will be transferred to Atlas Venture Advisors, Inc. and therefore Mr. Barrett disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares which belong to Atlas venture Advisors, Inc.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Peter Barrett</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-04-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
