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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement
on Form S-8 to be filed on or about July 20, 2000 of Texas Biotechnology
Corporation of our report dated February 25, 2000, relating to the consolidated
balance sheets of Texas Biotechnology Corporation and subsidiary as of December
31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1999, which report appears in the December 31, 1999
annual report on Form 10-K of Texas Biotechnology Corporation.


                                    /s/ KPMG LLP

                                    KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas
July 20, 2000