EXHIBIT 23.1



                               CONSENT OF KPMG LLP

The Board of Directors
Texas Biotechnology Corporation:

         We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement
on Form S-8 to be filed on or about October 29, 2001 of Texas Biotechnology
Corporation of our report dated February 26, 2001, relating to the consolidated
balance sheets of Texas Biotechnology Corporation and subsidiary as of December
31, 2000 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations and
comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 2000, which report appears in the
December 31, 2000 annual report on Form 10-K of Texas Biotechnology Corporation.


                                         /s/ KPMG LLP

                                         KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
October 29, 2001