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

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-04-03</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001426332</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NGM BIOPHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NGM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001347769</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COLUMN GROUP L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 OWENS STREET, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94158</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001600420</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COLUMN GROUP II, LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 OWENS STREET, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94158</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001614627</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COLUMN GROUP GP, LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 OWENS STREET, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94158</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>General Partner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001645340</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Column Group Management LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 OWENS STREET, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001645333</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Column Group II GP, LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 OWENS STREET, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94158</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>General Partner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>475957</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series B Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4204467</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series C Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1188667</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series D Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1700000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The number of shares of Common Stock reflects a 1-for-2 reverse stock split which became effective March 22,2019. Each share of the Issuer's Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into the Issuer's Common Stock on a 1-for-2 basis and has no expireation date. The number of underlying shares of Common Stock reported in Column 3 of Table II reflects the 1-for-2 reverse stock split pursuant to which every 2 shares of Preferred Stock will convert into one share of Common Stock of the Issuer, effective upon the closig of the Issuer's initial public offering, for no additional consideration.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Consists of 275,957 shares of Common Stock held directly by The Column Group II, LP (&quot;TCG II LP&quot;), 100,000 shares of Common Stock held directly by The Column Group GP, LP (&quot;TCG GP&quot;) and 100,000 shares of Common Stock held directly by The Column Group Management, LP (&quot;TCGM LP&quot;). The reporting persons disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest in such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The securities are directly held by TCG II LP, and indirectly held by The Column Group II GP, LP (&quot;TCG II GP&quot;), the general partner of TCG II LP. The managing partners of TCG II GP are David Goeddel and Peter Svennilson. The managing partners of TCG II GP may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to such shares. Each individual managing partner disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The securities are directly held by TCG GP. The managing partners of TCG GP are David Goeddel and Peter Svennilson. The managing partners of TCG GP may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to such shares. Each individual managing partner disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The securities are directly held by TCGM LP. The managing partners of TCGM LP are David Goeddel and Peter Svennilson. The managing partners of TCGM LP may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to such shares. Each individual managing partner disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The securities are directly held by The Column Group, LP (&quot;TCG LP&quot;), and indirectly held by TCG GP, the general partner of TCG LP. The managing partners of TCG GP are David Goeddel and Peter Svennilson. The managing partners of TCG GP may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to such shares. Each individual managing partner disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Consists of 3,600,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock held directly by TCG LP and 604,467 shares of Series B Preferred Stock held directly by TCG II LP.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Consists of 1,170,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock held directly by TCG LP and 18,667 shares of Series C Preferred Stock held directly by TCG II LP.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Consists of 333,333 shares of Series D Preferred Stock held directly by TCG LP and 1,366,667 shares of Series D Preferred Stock held directly by TCG II LP.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jennifer J. Carlson, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-04-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
