UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of earliest event reported: September 10, 2004

Nuvelo, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	000-22873	36-3855489
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

675 Almanor Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94085

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(408) 215-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On September 10, 2004, we amended our Collaboration Agreement with Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd., dated August 21, 2001, to extend through December 31, 2005. The amendment expands the scope of the collaboration to include additional secreted protein genes from our full-length gene portfolio. A press release announcing this amendment entitled “Nuvelo Announces Extension and Expansion of Kirin Collaboration” is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press release entitled “Nuvelo Announces Extension and Expansion of Kirin Collaboration,” dated September 15, 2004.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Nuvelo, Inc.
(Registrant)
By:	/s/ Lee Bendekgey
	Lee Bendekgey
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel

Dated: September 15, 2004

Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release entitled “Nuvelo Announces Extension and Expansion of Kirin Collaboration,” dated September 15, 2004.