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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HbagDh31P9FZhCIdu9jvF61eS/pmOoQ7kHsLglvxX1MTuCu2ml+4V+JsWslmdldx
 2EXOWXJ20SXR2qprhNay+Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001264398-03-000001.txt : 20031113
<SEC-HEADER>0001264398-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20031113
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031113121508
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001264398-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031113

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AASTROM BIOSCIENCES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887359
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH [8731]
		IRS NUMBER:				943096597
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24 FRANKL LLOYD WRIGHT DR
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 376
		CITY:			ANN ARBOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48106
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7349305555

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARD ROBERT
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001264398

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22025
		FILM NUMBER:		03996663

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT DRIVE - LOBBY L
		CITY:			ANN ARBOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		734-930-5555

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT DRIVE - LOBBY L
		CITY:			ANN ARBOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48105
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-11-13</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000887359</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AASTROM BIOSCIENCES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>astm</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001264398</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BARD ROBERT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>24 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT DRIVE - LOBBY L</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANN ARBOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP QS and RA</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.32</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.32</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-11-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests over a 4-year period, contingent upon service to Company.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert J. Bard</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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