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                                                                   Exhibit 10.27


[ANADYS logo]

February 1, 2001

Steve Worland, Ph.D.
727 Hoska Drive
Del Mar, CA 92014

Dear Steve:

I am very pleased to confirm the offer of employment made to you by Anadys
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO),
reporting to Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive
Officer. We anticipate your hire date to be on or around March 15, 2001.
However, the final date will be mutually agreed upon. As we discussed, the
details of this offer are as follows:

BASE SALARY:         You will receive a base salary of $8,458.33 paid
                     semi-monthly in accordance with the normal Anadys payroll
                     cycle, which if annualized, amounts to $203,000.00 per
                     year.

STOCK OPTIONS:       Upon commencement of your employment with Anadys, you
                     will be eligible for an initial stock option grant
                     allowing you to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Anadys
                     common stock at a price established by the Board.  These
                     stock options vest over an eight-year period and are
                     subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the
                     Anadys Stock Option Plan.  Your options will cliff vest,
                     12.5% year one, 1.04% monthly, thereafter.  In the event
                     of an acquisition (change of control), your shares will
                     vest immediately.  You will be provided full details of
                     the Stock Option Plan once you are on board.

SIGN-ON BONUS:       You will be given a one-time sign-on bonus of $50,000.00,
                     less applicable employment taxes. This bonus will be paid
                     shortly after your hire date. Should you leave the Company
                     within one year of your hire date, you will be required to
                     reimburse Anadys for this sign-on bonus, within thirty days
                     after your termination date.

PERFORMANCE
BONUS:               After one year of employment, you may be eligible for a
                     performance bonus of up to 30% of your base salary,
                     subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

BENEFITS:            As a regular, full-time employee of Anadys you will be
                     eligible for group benefits for yourself and your
                     eligible dependents, effective on your date of hire.
                     Basic benefits include comprehensive health



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Steve Worland, Ph.D.
February 1, 2001
Page 2


                     insurance; dental insurance, and vision care insurance. In
                     addition, you will be eligible for term life insurance and
                     long-term disability insurance for yourself only. You will
                     also accrue fifteen days of paid vacation per year and
                     receive the benefit of a minimum of ten paid holidays, all
                     in accordance with Company policy.

                     Effective on the first day of the quarter following your
                     hire date, you will be eligible to participate in the
                     Anadys 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. Also, effective on
                     your date of hire, you will be eligible to participate in
                     the Anadys Flexible Benefits Plan which allows you to defer
                     some of your earnings pre-tax, into spending accounts to be
                     used for payment of unreimbursed medical and/or child care
                     expenses. You will be asked to contribute a portion of the
                     cost of your own insurance coverage and any dependent
                     coverage you elect. The cost of coverage will vary based
                     upon the number of dependents covered and your individual
                     plan selection. However, any premiums you pay will be paid
                     pre-tax. A benefit summary is enclosed for your review.
                     Full details of these and all other employee benefits will
                     be provided once you are on board.

EMPLOYMENT
AT WILL:             Anadys is an at-will employer and as such your
                     employment must be entered into voluntarily and for no
                     specified period.  As a result, you are free to resign
                     or the company may terminate your employment at any
                     time, for any reason, with or without cause.  No one
                     other than the President and CEO has the authority to
                     alter this employment relationship, either verbally or
                     in writing.

Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. expects that you will not disclose to it any
proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or bring onto
its premises any unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former
employer. Since this would be improper, such conduct could be a basis for
discipline up to and including termination.

The above is subject to your signing non-disclosure, invention assignment and
non-compete agreements with the Company, and the Company's review of any
agreement you may have with former employers to ensure that they do not conflict
with your employment with the Company. In addition, upon your date of hire, you
will be required to submit proof of identity and eligibility to work in the
United States, in compliance with federal immigration laws.

This offer has been extended to you on behalf of Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and is valid through February 7, 2001, after which time it will expire.

Steve, we believe you will be able to make an immediate contribution to Anadys'
effort, and think you will enjoy the rewards of working for an innovative,
fast-paced, energetic company. One of the keys to our accomplishments is our
outstanding people. We hope you accept our

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Steve Worland, Ph.D.
February 1, 2001
Page 3


offer to be one of those people. Please acknowledge your agreement of these
terms by signing this letter and returning it to my attention in the enclosed
envelope. I truly look forward to having you on board.

Sincerely yours,

ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.


/s/ Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos

Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D.
President & CEO


I hereby accept this offer of employment and accept the terms as stated above. I
understand that as an employee of Anadys, I will be expected to comply with all
Company policies:

/s/ Steve Worland                   Feb. 7, 2001
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Steve Worland, Ph.D.                Date


March 15, 2001
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Projected Hire Date