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Exhibit 8.02

                                [WSGR Letterhead]


                               _____________, 1998


Anergen, Inc.
321 Penobscot Drive
Redwood City, California 94063

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This opinion is being delivered to you in connection with the Form S-4
Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (which
contains a prospectus and joint proxy statement) (the "Registration Statement")
filed pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of December
11, 1998 (the "Reorganization Agreement") by and among Corixa Corporation, a
Delaware corporation ("Corixa"), Yakima Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corixa ("Merger Sub"), and Anergen,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Anergen").

         Except as otherwise provided, capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Reorganization Agreement. All
section references, unless otherwise indicated, are to the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

         We have acted as counsel to Anergen in connection with the Merger. As
such, and for the purpose of rendering this opinion, we have examined, and are
relying upon (without any independent investigation or review thereof) the truth
and accuracy, at all relevant times, of the statements, covenants,
representations and warranties contained in the following documents (including
all exhibits and schedules attached thereto):

         1.       the Reorganization Agreement;

         2.       those certain tax representation letters delivered to us by
                  Corixa, Merger Sub and Anergen containing certain
                  representations of Corixa, Merger Sub and Anergen (the "Tax
                  Representation Letters"); and

         3.       such other instruments and documents related to the formation,
                  organization and operation of Corixa, Merger Sub and Anergen
                  and related to the consummation of the Merger and the other
                  transactions contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement as
                  we have deemed necessary or appropriate.

         In connection with rendering this opinion, we have assumed (without any
independent investigation or review thereof) that:

         a.       Original documents submitted to us (including signatures
                  thereto) are authentic, documents submitted to us as copies
                  conform to the original documents, and that all such documents
                  have been (or will be by the Effective Time) duly and validly
                  executed and delivered where due execution and delivery are a
                  prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof;

         b.       All representations, warranties and statements made or agreed
                  to by Corixa, Merger Sub and Anergen, their managements,
                  employees, officers, directors and shareholders in connection
                  with the Merger, including, but not limited to, those set
                  forth in the Reorganization Agreement (including the exhibits
                  thereto) and the Tax Representation Letters are true and
                  accurate at all relevant times;

         c.       All covenants contained in the Reorganization Agreement
                  (including exhibits thereto) and the Tax Representation
                  Letters are performed without waiver or breach of any material
                  provision thereof;

         d.       The Merger will be reported by Corixa and Anergen on their
                  respective federal income tax returns in a manner consistent
                  with the opinion set forth below; and


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Anergen, Inc. 
____________, 1998 
Page 2


         e.       Any representation or statement made "to best of knowledge" or
                  similarly qualified is correct without such qualification.

         Based on our examination of the foregoing items and subject to the
limitations, qualifications, assumptions and caveats set forth herein, we are of
the opinion that, if the Merger is consummated in accordance with the
Reorganization Agreement (and without any waiver, breach or amendment of any of
the provisions thereof) and the statements set forth in the Tax Representation
Letters are true and correct as of the Effective Time, then for federal income
tax purposes, the Merger will be a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code.

         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Proxy Statement included in the
Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Proxy Statement and to the Registration Statement.

         This opinion does not address the various state, local or foreign tax
consequences that may result from the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement.

         In addition, no opinion is expressed as to any federal income tax
consequence of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the
Reorganization Agreement except as specifically set forth herein, and this
opinion may not be relied upon except with respect to the consequences
specifically discussed herein.

         No opinion is expressed as to any transaction other than the Merger as
described in the Reorganization Agreement, or as to any other transaction
whatsoever, including the Merger, if all of the transactions described in the
Reorganization Agreement are not consummated in accordance with the terms of the
Reorganization Agreement and without waiver of any material provision thereof.
To the extent any of the representations, warranties, statements and assumptions
material to our opinion and upon which we have relied are not accurate and
complete in all material respects at all relevant times, our opinion would be
adversely affected and should not be relied upon.

         This opinion only represents our best judgment as to the federal income
tax consequences of the Merger and is not binding on the Internal Revenue
Service or any court of law, tribunal, administrative agency or other
governmental body. The conclusions are based on the Code, existing judicial
decisions, administrative regulations and published rulings. No assurance can be
given that future legislative, judicial or administrative changes or
interpretations would not adversely affect the accuracy of the conclusions
stated herein. Nevertheless, by rendering this opinion, we undertake no
responsibility to advise you of any new developments in the application or
interpretation of the federal income tax laws.

         This opinion is being delivered solely in connection with the
Registration Statement. It is intended for the benefit of Anergen and may not be
relied upon or utilized for any other purpose or by any other person and may not
be made available to any other person without our prior written consent. We 
hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement and to the use of our name under the heading "Material Federal Income 
Tax Consequences" therein.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                            Professional Corporation