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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.53
                     DISCOVERY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                         NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION

Notice is hereby given of the following stock option grant (the "Option")
pursuant to the 1995 STOCK OPTION/STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN (the "Plan") to purchase
shares of the Common Stock of DISCOVERY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL (the
"Corporation"):

        OPTIONEE:_________________________________________________________
        GRANT DATE:______________________          GRANT NUMBER: _________
        OPTION PRICE:  $_____________ PER SHARE    NUMBER OF SHARES: _____
        VESTING COMMENCEMENT DATE: _________________
        EXPIRATION DATE: ___________________       DATE EXERCISABLE: _____
        TYPE OF OPTION:  ___________________  Incentive Stock Option
                                              Non-Statutory Stock Option

This Option may be exercised at any time for all or any portion of the Option
Shares, whether or not vested.

VESTING SCHEDULE

The Option Shares shall vest in accordance with the following vesting schedule:

        (i)    No Option Shares shall vest unless and until the Optionee has
               completed twelve (12) months of Service (as defined in the Plan)
               measured from the Vesting Commencement Date.
        (ii)   Upon the completion of the twelve (12) month service period
               specified in subparagraph (i) above, 25% of the Option Shares
               shall become vested.
        (iii)  The Remaining Option Shares shall vest in a series of successive
               equal monthly installments over each of the next thirty-six (36)
               months of Service completed by the Optionee after the initial
               twelve (12) month Service period specified in subparagraph (i )
               above.

Optionee understands that the Option is granted pursuant to the Corporation's
Plan. By signing below, optionee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions
of the Plan and the terms of conditions of the Option as set forth in the Stock
Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. Optionee understands that any
Option Shares purchased under the Option will be subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
B.

Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit C.

REPURCHASE RIGHTS. THE OPTIONEE HEREBY AGREES THAT OPTION SHARES ACQUIRED UPON
THE EXERCISE OF THE OPTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE RIGHTS AND RIGHTS OF
FIRST REFUSAL EXERCISABLE BY THE CORPORATION AND ITS ASSIGNS UPON ANY PROPOSED
SALE, ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER, ENCUMBRANCE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE
CORPORATION'S SHARES. THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH RIGHTS ARE SPECIFIED IN
THE STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

No Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan
shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the Service of the
Corporation for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise
restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation or the Optionee, which rights
are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee's Service at any
time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause.

______________________________________
               (date)
DISCOVERY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.              OPTIONEE
                                                    (Name & Address)
BY: _______________________                         __________________________
Title: ____________________                         __________________________
                                                    __________________________

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                                    EXHIBIT A

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


Filed as Exhibit 10.54 to this Registration Statement




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                                    EXHIBIT B

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


Filed as Exhibit 10.55 to this Registration Statement




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                                    EXHIBIT C

                      1995 STOCK OPTION/STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN


Filed as Exhibit 10.52 to this Registration Statement