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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 8GXMINSd19YRtzIgxM5DzQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-05-062423.txt : 20051222
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-05-062423.hdr.sgml : 20051222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051222174256
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-05-062423
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051220
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051222

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CIPHERGEN BIOSYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000926617
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS [3826]
		IRS NUMBER:				330595156
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6611 DUMBARTON CIRCLE
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94555
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5105052100

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ABIOTIC SYSTEMS
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950407

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RATHMANN JAMES L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001134410

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-31617
		FILM NUMBER:		051283184

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 DORSETT ROAD
		CITY:			DEVON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19333
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5105052200
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-12-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000926617</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CIPHERGEN BIOSYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CIPHE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001134410</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RATHMANN JAMES L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CIPHERGEN BIOSYSTEMS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6611 DUMBARTON CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FREMONT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94555</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.90</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-12-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>150000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-01-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>150000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>150000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Option is subject to the following vesting schedule: 1/24th of the shares subject to the Option shall become exercisable on January 20, 2006 and an additional 1/24th of the shares subject to the Option shall become exercisable each month thereafter.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Matthew J. Hogan, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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