UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                 SCHEDULE 13G
                                       
                                       
                                       
                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                       
                              (Amendment No.  )*
                                       
                                       
                         Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Name of Issuer)
                                       
                                 Common Stock
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (Title of Class of Securities)
                                       
                                  45337C-10-2
                    --------------------------------------
                                (CUSIP Number)
                                       
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement   X   .   (A
fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement  on
file  reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class  of
securities  described  in  Item 1; and (2) has filed  no  amendment  subsequent
thereto  reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7).

*The  remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial  filing  on this form with respect to the subject class of  securities,
and  for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter  the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The  information  required in the remainder of this cover  page  shall  not  be
deemed  to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section  of
the  Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however,  see
the Notes).


CUSIP No. 45337C-10-2                Page 2 of 13 Pages
                         13G

1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     S.S OR I.R.S IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
     
          INVESCO PLC
          No SS or IRS Identification Number

2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
     
                                                  (a)  [ ]

                                                  (b)  [X]

3    SEC USE ONLY
     
     
4    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
     
          England

                         5    SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF SHARES                   None
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING        6    SHARED VOTING POWER
PERSON WITH                        448,200

                         7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   None

                         8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   448,200

9    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
          448,200

10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
     
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
          5.6%

12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
          H.C.

         *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT

CUSIP No. 45337C-10-2                Page 3 of 13 Pages
                         13G

1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     S.S OR I.R.S IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
     
          INVESCO North American Group, Ltd.
          No SS or IRS Identification Number

2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
     
                                                  (a)  [ ]

                                                  (b)  [X]

3    SEC USE ONLY
     
     
4    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
     
          England

                         5    SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF SHARES                   None
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING        6    SHARED VOTING POWER
PERSON WITH                        448,200

                         7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   None

                         8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   448,200

9    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
          448,200

10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
     
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
          5.6%

12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
          H.C.

         *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT

CUSIP No. 45337C-10-2                Page 4 of 13 Pages
                         13G

1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     S.S OR I.R.S IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
     
          INVESCO, Inc.
          IRS Identification Number 58-1995394

2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
     
                                                  (a)  [ ]

                                                  (b)  [X]

3    SEC USE ONLY
     
     
4    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
     
          State of Delaware

                         5    SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF SHARES                   None
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING        6    SHARED VOTING POWER
PERSON WITH                        448,200

                         7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   None

                         8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   448,200

9    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
          448,200

10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
     
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
          5.6%

12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
          H.C.

         *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT

CUSIP No. 45337C-10-2                Page 5 of 13 Pages
                         13G

1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     S.S OR I.R.S IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
     
          INVESCO North American Holdings, Inc.
          IRS Identification Number 51-0264787

2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
     
                                                  (a)  [ ]

                                                  (b)  [X]

3    SEC USE ONLY
     
     
4    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
     
          State of Delaware

                         5    SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF SHARES                   None
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING        6    SHARED VOTING POWER
PERSON WITH                        448,200

                         7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   None

                         8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   448,200

9    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
          448,200

10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
     
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
          5.6%

12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
          H.C.

         *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT

CUSIP No. 45337C-10-2                Page 6 of 13 Pages
                         13G

1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     S.S OR I.R.S IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
     
          INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.
          IRS Identification Number 84-0235630

2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
     
                                                  (a)  [ ]

                                                  (b)  [X]

3    SEC USE ONLY
     
     
4    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
     
          State of Delaware

                         5    SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF SHARES                   None
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING        6    SHARED VOTING POWER
PERSON WITH                        448,200

                         7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   None

                         8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                   448,200

9    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
          448,200

10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
     
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
          5.6%

12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
          H.C.

         *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT

Schedule 13G                         Page 7 of 13 Pages


Item 1 (a)     Name of Issuer:
          
               Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Item 1 (b)     Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
          
               3174 Porter Dr.

               Palo Alto, CA  94304

Item 2 (a)     Name of Person filing:
          
               INVESCO PLC

Item 2 (b)     Address of Principal Office:
          
               11 Devonshire Square
               London EC2M 4YR
               England

Item 2 (c)     Citizenship:
          
               Organized under the laws of England

Item 2 (d)     Title of Class of Securities:
          
               Common Stock

Item 2 (e)     Cusip Number:   45337C-10-2
          
          
Item 3    If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b)
          or 13d-2(b), check whether the person filing is a:
          
(a)       ( )  Broker or Dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act.
(b)       ( )  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act.
(c)       ( )  Insurance Company as defined in Sec. 3(a)(19) of the Act.
(d)       ( )  Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the Investment
               Company Act.
(e)       ( )  Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the
               Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
(f)       ( )  Employee Benefit Plan, Pension Fund which is subject to
               provisions of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
               1974 or Endowment Fund; see Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F).
(g)       (X)  Parent Holding Company in accordance with Section
               240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G).  (Note:  see Item 7)
(h)       ( )  Group, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(H).

Schedule 13G                         Page 8 of 13 Pages


Item 4    Ownership:

          *The information in items 1 and 5 through 11 on the cover pages (pp.
          2-5) on Schedule 13G is hereby incorporated by reference.
          
          The reporting persons expressly declare that the filing of this
          statement on Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that
          they are, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the
          Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial owners of any
          securities covered by this statement.
          
Item 5    Ownership of five percent or less of a class.

          Not Applicable
          
Item 6    Ownership of more than five percent on behalf of another person.
          
          The reporting persons hold the securities covered by this report on
          behalf of other persons who have the right to receive or the power to
          direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale
          of such securities.  The interest of any such persons does not exceed
          5% of the class of securities.
          
Item 7    Identification and classification of the subsidiaries which acquired
          the security being reported on by the Parent Holding Company:
          
                X   INVESCO North American Group, Ltd. - holding
               ---  company in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G).
                X   INVESCO, Inc. - holding company also in
               ---  accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G).
                X   INVESCO North American Holdings, Inc. - holding
               ---  company also in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G).
                    INVESCO Capital Management, Inc. -
               ---  investment adviser  registered under Section 203 of the
                    Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
                X   INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. - investment adviser
               ---  registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act
                    of 1940.

Schedule 13G                         Page 9 of 13 Pages


                    INVESCO Management & Research -
               ---  investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the
                    Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
                    INVESCO Asset Management Limited -
               ---  investment adviser organized under the laws of England.
               
          Subsidiaries not indicated with (X) have acquired no shares of
          security being reported on.
          
Item 8    Identification and Classification of Members of a Group.

               Not applicable.

Item 9    Notice of Dissolution of Group.

               Not applicable.


Schedule 13G                        Page 10 of 13 Pages


Item 10   Certification:
          
          By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
          belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the
          ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of
          and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of
          the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection
          with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or
          effect.
          
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


February 14, 1996
- ---------------------------------
Date


/s/ Graeme Proudfoot
- ------------------------------------------
Graeme Proudfoot,
as Company Secretary for each of INVESCO PLC
and INVESCO North American Group, Ltd.

Schedule 13G                        Page 11 of 13 Pages


Item 10   Certification:
          
          By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
          belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the
          ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of
          and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of
          the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection
          with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or
          effect.
          
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


February 14, 1996
- ---------------------------------
Date


/s/ Deborah Lamb
- ---------------------------------------------
Deborah Lamb, Assistant Secretary
INVESCO, Inc.

Schedule 13G                        Page 12 of 13 Pages


Item 10   Certification:
          
          By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
          belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the
          ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of
          and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of
          the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection
          with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or
          effect.
          
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


February 14, 1996
- ---------------------------------
Date


/s/ Frank Keeler
- ---------------------------------
Frank Keeler, Secretary
INVESCO North American Holdings, Inc.

Schedule 13G                        Page 13 of 13 Pages


Item 10   Certification:
          
          By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
          belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the
          ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of
          and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of
          the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection
          with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or
          effect.
          
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


February 14, 1996
- ---------------------------------
Date


/s/ Glen A. Payne
- ---------------------------------
Glen A. Payne, Secretary
INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.