As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2004
Registration No. 333-______

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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM S-8
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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                         MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          Delaware           787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor      36-3898269
      (State or other            New York, NY 10019           (I.R.S. Employer
      jurisdiction of          Telephone (212) 554-4525      Identification No.)
      Incorporation or         Facsimile (212) 554-4545
       organization)

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                              2003 Stock Option Plan
                            (Full title of the Plans)

                           ---------------------------

         Nicholas J. Rossettos                         Copies to:
        Chief Financial Officer                Christopher J. Melsha, Esq.
    Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.        Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP
     787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor          90 South 7th Street, Suite 3300
           New York, NY 10019                 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
        Telephone (212) 554-4555                Telephone: (612) 672-8200
 (Name and address of agent for service)        Facsimile: (612) 642-8343

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                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


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                                                    Proposed
                                  Proposed          Maximum
                                   Maximum          Offering
           Title of             Amount to be        Price Per        Aggregate         Amount of
  Securities to be Registered    Registered (1)     Share Fee (2)   Offering Price   Registration
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           
Common Stock,  par  value         5,400,000          $1.60           $8,640,000        $1,094.69
$.001 per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)   There is also being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares
      of common stock as shall be issuable as a result of a stock split, stock
      dividend, combination or other change in the outstanding shares of common
      stock.
(2)   Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
      accordance with paragraphs (c) and (h) of Rule 457 of the Securities Act
      based upon a $1.60 per share average of high and low prices of the
      Registrant's common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on February 13, 2004.




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PART I As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this registration statement omits the information specified in Part I of Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this registration statement will be sent or given to eligible employees as specified in Rule 428(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act. 1

PART II Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference. - ------------------------------------------------ The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission are hereby incorporated by reference herein: 1. Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (filed on April 14, 2003); 2. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 (including amendment thereto filed on August 11, 2003), June 30, 2003, and September 30, 2003; 3. Current Reports on Form 8-K filed March 10, 2003, August 15, 2003, September 23, 2003, and November 11, 2003, and on Form 8-K/A filed May 9, 2003; and 4. The description of capital stock as set forth on Form 8-A filed on November 28, 1995 (No. 00-27282). All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Item 4. Description of Securities. - ---------------------------------- Not applicable. Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. - ----------------------------------------------- As a condition to consenting to allow the Registrant to incorporate by reference into this registration statement its audit report, KPMG LLP ("KPMG") has required the Registrant, and the Registrant has agreed, to indemnify and hold KPMG harmless against and from any and all legal costs and expenses incurred by KPMG in successful defense of any legal action or proceeding that arises as a result of KPMG's consent to the incorporation by reference of its audit report on the Registrant's past financial statements incorporated by reference in this registration statement. Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. - -------------------------------------------------- Under provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Registrant, directors and officers will be indemnified for any and all judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, in connection with threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, or criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action arising by or in the right of the Registrant), if such director or officer has been wholly successful on the merits or otherwise, or is found to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In addition, directors and officers will be indemnified for reasonable expenses in connection with threatened, pending or completed actions or suits by or in the right of Registrant if such director or officer has been wholly successful on the merits or otherwise, or is found to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant, except in the case of certain findings by a court that such person is liable for negligence or misconduct in his or her duty to the Registrant unless such court or the Delaware Court of Chancery also finds that such person is nevertheless fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity. The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation also eliminates the liability of directors of the Registrant for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law states: (a) A corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action arising by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expense which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed. - -------------------------------------------- Not applicable. Item 8. Exhibits. - ----------------- Exhibit Description 4.1 Registrant's 2003 Stock Option Plan. 5.1 Opinion of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP. 23.1 Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP. 23.2 Consent of Weinberg & Company, P.A. 23.3 Consent of KPMG LLP. 23.4 Consent of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). 24.1 Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereof). Item 9. Undertakings. - --------------------- (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person connected with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City and State of New York, on the 11th day of February, 2004. MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. By: /s/ Leonard Firestone -------------------------------------- Leonard Firestone President and Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY Each person whose signature to this Registration Statement appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Nicholas J. Rossettos as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, to sign on his or her behalf individually and in the capacity stated below and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file all amendments to this Registration Statement and any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with this Registration Statement or the amendments thereto and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. The undersigned also grants to said attorney-in-fact, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts necessary or incidental to the performance and execution of the powers herein expressly granted. This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked in writing by the undersigned. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed as of the 11th day of February, 2004, by the following persons in the capacities indicated. Name Title /s/ Leonard Firestone President and Chief Executive Officer - ------------------------------------ (Principal Executive Officer) Leonard Firestone /s/ Nicholas J. Rossettos Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial - ------------------------------------ Officer, Treasurer and Secretary Nicholas J. Rossettos (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Joshua Kazam Director - ------------------------------------ Joshua Kazam /s/ Joan Pons Gimbert Director - ------------------------------------ Joan Pons Gimbert /s/ David M. Tanen Director - ------------------------------------ David M. Tanen /s/ Michael Weiser Director - ------------------------------------ Michael Weiser

INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Description ------- ----------- 4.1 Registrant's 2003 Stock Option Plan. 5.1 Opinion of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP. 23.1 Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP. 23.2 Consent of Weinberg & Company, P.A. 23.3 Consent of KPMG LLP. 23.4 Consent of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). 24.1 Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereof).

EXHIBIT 4.1 MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 2003 STOCK OPTION PLAN 1. Purpose. The purpose of the 2003 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is to increase stockholder value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of economic incentives ("Incentives") designed to attract, retain and motivate employees, directors and consultants. Incentives may consist of opportunities to purchase or receive shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company ("Common Stock"), monetary payments or both on terms determined under this Plan. 2. Administration. 2.1 The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"). The Committee shall consist of not less than two directors of the Company who shall be appointed from time to time by the board of directors of the Company. Each member of the Committee shall be a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Exchange Act"), and an "outside director" as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Committee shall have complete authority to determine all provisions of all Incentives awarded under the Plan (as consistent with the terms of the Plan), to interpret the Plan, and to make any other determination which it believes necessary and advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. The Committee's decisions and matters relating to the Plan shall be final and conclusive on the Company and its participants. No member of the Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Incentives granted under the Plan. The Committee will also have the authority under the Plan to amend or modify the terms of any outstanding Incentives in any manner; provided, however, that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect and that any recipient on an Incentive adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented to such amendment or modification. No amendment or modification to an Incentive, however, whether pursuant to this Section 2 or any other provisions of the Plan, will be deemed to be a re-grant of such Incentive for purposes of this Plan. If at any time there is no Committee, then for purposes of the Plan the term "Committee" shall mean the entire Board. 2.2 In the event of (i) any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, extraordinary dividend or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in corporate structure or shares, (ii) any purchase, acquisition, sale or disposition of a significant amount of assets or a significant business, (iii) any change in accounting principles or practices, or (iv) any other similar change, in each case with respect to the Company or any other entity whose performance is relevant to the grant or vesting of an Incentive, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) may, without the consent of any affected participant, amend or modify the vesting criteria of any outstanding Incentive that is based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any subsidiary or division thereof) or such other entity so as equitably to reflect such event, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating such financial performance of the Company or such other entity will be substantially the same (in the sole discretion of the Committee or the board of directors of the surviving corporation) following such event as prior to such event; provided, however, that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect. 3. Eligible Participants. Employees of the Company or its subsidiaries (including officers and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries), directors and consultants, advisors or other independent contractors who provide services to the Company or its subsidiaries (including members of the Company's scientific advisory board) shall become eligible to receive Incentives under the Plan when designated by the Committee. Participants may be designated individually or by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) as the Committee deems appropriate. Participation by officers of the Company or its subsidiaries and any performance objectives relating to such officers must be approved by the Committee; provided, however, that if the entire Board is serving as the Committee, then any Incentive awarded to an officer shall be approved by a majority of the "non-employee directors" (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act). Participation by others and any performance objectives relating to others may be approved by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) and authority to designate participants who are not officers and to set or modify such targets may be delegated. 4. Types of Incentives. Incentives under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of the following forms: (a) incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options (Section 6); (b) stock appreciation rights ("SARs") (Section 7); (c) stock awards (Section 8); (d) restricted stock (Section 8); and (e) performance shares (Section 9). 5. Shares Subject to the Plan. 5.1. Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed 5,400,000 shares of Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under the Plan or that are subject to outstanding Incentives will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan. 5.2. Cancellation. To the extent that cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock is delivered upon the exercise of an SAR pursuant to Section 7.4, the Company shall be deemed, for purposes of applying the limitation on the number of shares, to have issued the greater of the number of shares of Common Stock which it was entitled to issue upon such exercise or on the exercise of any related option. In the event that a stock option or SAR granted hereunder expires or is terminated or canceled unexercised or unvested as to any shares of Common Stock, such shares may again be issued under the Plan either pursuant to stock options, SARs or otherwise. In the event that shares of Common Stock are issued as restricted stock or pursuant to a stock award and thereafter are forfeited or reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved upon issuance thereof, such forfeited and reacquired shares may again be issued under the Plan, either as restricted stock, pursuant to stock awards or otherwise. The Committee may also determine to cancel, and agree to the cancellation of, stock options in order to make a participant eligible for the grant of a stock option at a lower price than the option to be canceled. 6. Stock Options. A stock option is a right to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company. The Committee may designate whether an option is to be considered an incentive stock option or a non-statutory stock option. To the extent that any incentive stock option granted under the Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an "incentive stock option" for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such incentive stock option will continue to be outstanding for purposes of the Plan but will thereafter be deemed to be a non-statutory stock option. Each stock option granted by the Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: 6.1. Price. The option price per share shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment under Section 11.6. 6.2. Number. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a stock option shall be reduced in the same proportion that the holder thereof exercises a SAR if any SAR is granted in conjunction with or related to the stock option. No individual may receive options to purchase more than 2,000,000 shares in any year. 6.3. Duration and Time for Exercise. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 11.4, the term of each stock option shall be determined by the Committee but in no event shall be more than ten years from the date of grant. Each stock option, or portion thereof, shall become exercisable at such time or times as may be designated by the Committee at the time of the stock option grant. The Committee may accelerate the vesting of any stock option. 6.4. Manner of Exercise. Subject to the conditions contained in this Plan and in the agreement with the recipient evidencing such option, a stock option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased and accompanied by the full purchase price for such shares. The exercise price shall be payable (a) in United States dollars upon exercise of the option and may be paid by cash; uncertified or certified check; bank draft; (b) by delivery of shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the participant in payment of all or any part of the exercise price, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value on the date such option is exercised; or (c) at the discretion of the Committee, by instructing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the stock option shares of Common Stock in payment of all or any part of the exercise price and/or any related withholding tax obligations, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value. The shares of Common Stock delivered by the participant pursuant to Section 6.4(b) must have been held by the participant for a period of not less than six months prior to the exercise of the option, unless otherwise determined by the Committee. Prior to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a stock option, a participant shall have no rights as a stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no adjustment will be made for dividends or distributions with respect to such stock options as to which there is a record date preceding the date the participant becomes the holder of record of such shares, except as the Committee may determine in its discretion. 6.5. Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the following additional provisions shall apply to the grant of stock options which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options (as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code): (a) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any participant during any calendar year (under the Plan and any other incentive stock option plans of the Company or any subsidiary or parent corporation of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000. The determination will be made by taking incentive stock options into account in the order in which they were granted. (b) Any Incentive Stock Option certificate authorized under the Plan shall contain such other provisions as the Committee shall deem advisable, but shall in all events be consistent with and contain all provisions required in order to qualify the options as Incentive Stock Options. (c) All Incentive Stock Options must be granted within ten years from the earlier of the date on which this Plan was adopted by board of directors or the date this Plan was approved by the Company's stockholders. (d) Unless sooner exercised, all Incentive Stock Options shall expire no later than 10 years after the date of grant. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercisable after ten (10) years from its date of grant (five (5) years from its date of grant if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company). (e) The exercise price for Incentive Stock Options shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant with respect to an Incentive Stock Option; provided that the exercise price shall be 110% of the Fair Market Value if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company. 7. Stock Appreciation Rights. An SAR is a right to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of shares of Common Stock, cash or any combination thereof, the amount of which is determined pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 7.4. An SAR may be granted (a) with respect to any stock option granted under this Plan, either concurrently with the grant of such stock option or at such later time as determined by the Committee (as to all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the stock option), or (b) alone, without reference to any related stock option. Each SAR granted by the Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: 7.1. Number; Exercise Price. Each SAR granted to any participant shall relate to such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6. In the case of an SAR granted with respect to a stock option, the number of shares of Common Stock to which the SAR pertains shall be reduced in the same proportion that the holder of the option exercises the related stock option. The exercise price of an SAR will be determined by the Committee, in its discretion, at the date of grant but may not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant. 7.2. Duration. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 11.4, the term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years and one day from the date of grant. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, each SAR shall become exercisable at such time or times, to such extent and upon such conditions as the stock option, if any, to which it relates is exercisable. The Committee may in its discretion accelerate the exercisability of any SAR. 7.3. Exercise. An SAR may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of SARs which the holder wishes to exercise. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Company shall, within 90 days thereafter, deliver to the exercising holder certificates for the shares of Common Stock or cash or both, as determined by the Committee, to which the holder is entitled pursuant to Section 7.4. 7.4. Payment. Subject to the right of the Committee to deliver cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock (which, as it pertains to officers and directors of the Company, shall comply with all requirements of the Exchange Act), the number of shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable upon the exercise of an SAR shall be determined by dividing: (a) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is exercised multiplied by the amount of the appreciation in such shares (for this purpose, the "appreciation" shall be the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the SAR on the exercise date exceeds (1) in the case of an SAR related to a stock option, the exercise price of the shares of Common Stock under the stock option or (2) in the case of an SAR granted alone, without reference to a related stock option, an amount which shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, subject to adjustment under Section 11.6); by (b) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date. In lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a SAR, the Committee may elect to pay the holder of the SAR cash equal to the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of any or all of the shares which would otherwise be issuable. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the exercise of an SAR; instead, the holder of the SAR shall be entitled to receive a cash adjustment equal to the same fraction of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date or to purchase the portion necessary to make a whole share at its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. 8. Stock Awards and Restricted Stock. A stock award consists of the transfer by the Company to a participant of shares of Common Stock, without other payment therefor, as additional compensation for services to the Company. The participant receiving a stock award will have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock issued to a participant as a stock award under this Section 8 upon the participant becoming the holder of record of such shares. A share of restricted stock consists of shares of Common Stock which are sold or transferred by the Company to a participant at a price determined by the Committee (which price shall be at least equal to the minimum price required by applicable law for the issuance of a share of Common Stock) and subject to restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the participant, which restrictions and conditions may be determined by the Committee as long as such restrictions and conditions are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. The transfer of Common Stock pursuant to stock awards and the transfer and sale of restricted stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: 8.1. Number of Shares. The number of shares to be transferred or sold by the Company to a participant pursuant to a stock award or as restricted stock shall be determined by the Committee. 8.2. Sale Price. The Committee shall determine the price, if any, at which shares of restricted stock shall be sold or granted to a participant, which may vary from time to time and among participants and which may be below the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock at the date of sale. 8.3. Restrictions. All shares of restricted stock transferred or sold hereunder shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may determine, including, without limitation any or all of the following: (a) a prohibition against the sale, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance of the shares of restricted stock, such prohibition to lapse at such time or times as the Committee shall determine (whether in annual or more frequent installments, at the time of the death, Disability or retirement of the holder of such shares, or otherwise); (b) a requirement that the holder of shares of restricted stock forfeit, or (in the case of shares sold to a participant) resell back to the Company at his or her cost, all or a part of such shares in the event of termination of his or her employment or consulting engagement during any period in which such shares are subject to restrictions; or (c) such other conditions or restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable. 8.4. Escrow. In order to enforce the restrictions imposed by the Committee pursuant to Section 8.3, the participant receiving restricted stock shall enter into an agreement with the Company setting forth the conditions of the grant. Shares of restricted stock shall be registered in the name of the participant and deposited, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company. Each such certificate shall bear a legend in substantially the following form: The transferability of this certificate and the shares of Common Stock represented by it are subject to the terms and conditions (including conditions of forfeiture) contained in the 2003 Stock Option Plan of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company"), and an agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company. A copy of the 2003 Stock Option Plan and the agreement is on file in the office of the secretary of the Company. 8.5. End of Restrictions. Subject to Section 11.5, at the end of any time period during which the shares of restricted stock are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, such shares will be delivered free of all restrictions to the participant or to the participant's legal representative, beneficiary or heir. 8.6. Stockholder. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, each participant receiving restricted stock shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to shares of stock during any period in which such shares are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, including without limitation, the right to vote such shares. Dividends paid in cash or property other than Common Stock with respect to shares of restricted stock shall be paid to the participant currently. Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion, any dividends or distributions (including regular quarterly cash dividends) paid with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to the restrictions set forth above will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate. In the event the Committee determines not to pay dividends or distributions currently, the Committee will determine in its sole discretion whether any interest will be paid on such dividends or distributions. In addition, the Committee in its sole discretion may require such dividends and distributions to be reinvested (and in such case the participant consents to such reinvestment) in shares of Common Stock that will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate. 9. Performance Shares. A performance share consists of an award which shall be paid in shares of Common Stock, as described below. The grant of a performance share shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, including the following: 9.1. Performance Objectives. Each performance share will be subject to performance objectives for the Company or one of its operating units to be achieved by the participant before the end of a specified period. The number of performance shares granted shall be determined by the Committee and may be subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. If the performance objectives are achieved, each participant will be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash as determined by the Committee. If such objectives are not met, each grant of performance shares may provide for lesser payments in accordance with formulas established in the award. 9.2. Not Stockholder. The grant of performance shares to a participant shall not create any rights in such participant as a stockholder of the Company, until the payment of shares of Common Stock with respect to an award. 9.3. No Adjustments. No adjustment shall be made in performance shares granted on account of cash dividends which may be paid or other rights which may be issued to the holders of Common Stock prior to the end of any period for which performance objectives were established. 9.4. Expiration of Performance Share. If any participant's employment or consulting engagement with the Company is terminated for any reason other than normal retirement, death or Disability prior to the achievement of the participant's stated performance objectives, all the participant's rights on the performance shares shall expire and terminate unless otherwise determined by the Committee. In the event of termination of employment or consulting by reason of death, Disability, or normal retirement, the Committee, in its own discretion may determine what portions, if any, of the performance shares should be paid to the participant. 10. Change of Control. 10.1 Change in Control. For purposes of this Section 10, a "Change in Control" of the Company will mean the following: (a) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) to a person or entity that is not controlled by the Company; (b) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (c) any person becomes after the effective date of the Plan the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of (i) 20% or more, but not 50% or more, of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless the transaction resulting in such ownership has been approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below), or (ii) 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the Continuing Directors); provided that a traditional institution or venture capital financing transaction shall be excluded from this definition; (d) a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to effective date of such merger or consolidation have "beneficial ownership" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation, of securities of the surviving corporation representing (i) 50% or more, but less than 80%, of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation's then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless such merger or consolidation has been approved in advance by the Continuing Directors, or (ii) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation's then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the Continuing Directors). 10.2 Continuing Directors. For purposes of this Section 10, "Continuing Directors" of the Company will mean any individuals who are members of the Board on the effective date of the Plan and any individual who subsequently becomes a member of the Board whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Continuing Directors (either by specific vote or by approval of the Company's proxy statement in which such individual is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination). 10.3 Acceleration of Incentives. Without limiting the authority of the Committee under the Plan, if a Change of Control of the Company occurs whereby the acquiring entity or successor to the Company does not assume the Incentives or replace them with substantially equivalent incentive awards, then upon the effective date of any such Change in Control (a) all outstanding options and SARs will vest and will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the participant to whom such options or SARs have been granted remains in the employ or service of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any acquiring entity or successor to the Company; (b) the restrictions on all shares of restricted stock awards shall lapse immediately; and (c) all performance shares shall be deemed to be met and payment made immediately. 10.4 Cash Payment for Options. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs, then the Committee, if approved by the Committee in its sole discretion either in an agreement evidencing an option at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an option, and without the consent of any participant affected thereby, may determine that: (a) some or all participants holding outstanding options will receive, with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such options, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, cash in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control of the Company over the exercise price per share of such options; and (b) any options as to which, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control, the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such options is less than or equal to the exercise price per share of such options, shall terminate as of the effective date of any such Change in Control. If the Committee makes a determination as set forth in subparagraph (a) of this Section 10.4, then as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, such options will terminate as to such shares and the participants formerly holding such options will only have the right to receive such cash payment(s). If the Committee makes a determination as set forth in subparagraph (b) of this Section 10.4, then as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company such options will terminate, become void and expire as to all unexercised shares of Common Stock subject to such options on such date, and the participants formerly holding such options will have no further rights with respect to such options. 11. General. 11.1. Effective Date. The Plan will become effective upon approval by the Board. 11.2. Duration. The Plan shall remain in effect until all Incentives granted under the Plan have either been satisfied by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the payment of cash or been terminated under the terms of the Plan and all restrictions imposed on shares of Common Stock in connection with their issuance under the Plan have lapsed. No Incentives may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. 11.3. Non-transferability of Incentives. Except, in the event of the holder's death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution to the limited extent provided in the Plan or the Incentive, unless approved by the Committee, no stock option, SAR, restricted stock or performance award may be transferred, pledged or assigned by the holder thereof, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, and the Company shall not be required to recognize any attempted assignment of such rights by any participant. During a participant's lifetime, an Incentive may be exercised only by him or her or by his or her guardian or legal representative. 11.4. Effect of Termination, Death or Disability. In the event that a participant ceases to be an employee of or consultant to the Company, or the participants other service with the Company is terminated, for any reason, including death, but excluding "Disability," any Incentives may be exercised or shall expire at such times as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion in the agreement evidencing an Incentive. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Plan, in the event that a participant ceases to be employed or engaged by the Company, or is otherwise unable to render services to the Company, as a result of a Disability, any portion of a stock option Incentive that has vested as of the date of such Disability shall remain exercisable for the remaining term of such stock option, or such lesser period as provided in the agreement evidencing the terms of such stock option; provided, however, that all portions of a stock option Incentive that have not yet vested or are scheduled to vest in the future shall not vest and the employee's rights to such portion of the stock option shall terminate. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 11.4, upon a participant's termination of employment or other service with the Company and all subsidiaries (other than as a result of a Disability), the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the date of grant, including following such termination), cause options and SARs (or any part thereof) then held by such participant to become or continue to become exercisable and/or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service and Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Shares and Stock Awards then held by such participant to vest and/or continue to vest or become free of transfer restrictions, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no Incentive may remain exercisable or continue to vest beyond its expiration date. Any Incentive Stock Option that remains unexercised more than one (1) year following termination of employment by reason of death or Disability or more than three (3) months following termination for any reason other than death or Disability will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. The term "Disability" shall mean, with respect to a participant, that such participant is unable to perform a significant part of his or her duties and responsibilities as an employee, director, consultant or other advisor to the Company by reason of such participant's physical or mental injury or illness, and such inability lasts for a period of at least 180 consecutive days. 11.5. Additional Conditions. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary: (a) the Company may, if it shall determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, at the time of award of any Incentive or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any Incentive, require the recipient of the Incentive, as a condition to the receipt thereof or to the receipt of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto, to deliver to the Company a written representation of present intention to acquire the Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto for his or her own account for investment and not for distribution; and (b) if at any time the Company further determines, in its sole discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification (or any updating of any such document) of any Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant thereto is necessary on any securities exchange or under any federal or state securities or blue sky law, or that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with the award of any Incentive, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, or the removal of any restrictions imposed on such shares, such Incentive shall not be awarded or such shares of Common Stock shall not be issued or such restrictions shall not be removed, as the case may be, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under this Plan, and a participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any Incentives granted under the Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such shares a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any applicable state or foreign securities laws or an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit from any other regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the parties involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing shares of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company in order to comply with such securities law or other restrictions. 11.6. Adjustment. In the event of any merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with any other corporation or corporations, there shall be substituted for each of the shares of Common Stock then subject to the Plan, including shares subject to restrictions, options, or achievement of performance share objectives, the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities to which the holders of the shares of Common Stock will be entitled pursuant to the transaction. In the event of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or other similar change in the corporate structure of the Company or shares of the Company, the exercise price of an outstanding Incentive and the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the Plan, including shares subject to restrictions, options or achievements of performance shares, shall be adjusted in proportion to the change in outstanding shares of Common Stock in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the participants. In the event of any such adjustments, the purchase price of any option, the performance objectives of any Incentive, and the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any Incentive shall be adjusted as and to the extent appropriate, in the discretion of the Committee, to provide participants with the same relative rights before and after such adjustment. 11.7. Incentive Plans and Agreements. Except in the case of stock awards or cash awards, the terms of each Incentive shall be stated in a plan or agreement approved by the Committee. The Committee may also determine to enter into agreements with holders of options to reclassify or convert certain outstanding options, within the terms of the Plan, as Incentive Stock Options or as non-statutory stock options and in order to eliminate SARs with respect to all or part of such options and any other previously issued options. 11.8. Withholding. (a) The Company shall have the right to (i) withhold and deduct from any payments made under the Plan or from future wages of the participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the participant from the Company or a subsidiary of the Company), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all foreign, federal, state and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable to an Incentive, or (ii) require the participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Incentive. At any time when a participant is required to pay to the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable income tax laws in connection with a distribution of Common Stock or upon exercise of an option or SAR, the participant may satisfy this obligation in whole or in part by electing (the "Election") to have the Company withhold from the distribution shares of Common Stock having a value up to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the shares to be withheld shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld shall be determined ("Tax Date"). (b) Each Election must be made prior to the Tax Date. The Committee may disapprove of any Election, may suspend or terminate the right to make Elections, or may provide with respect to any Incentive that the right to make Elections shall not apply to such Incentive. An Election is irrevocable. (c) If a participant is an officer or director of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then an Election is subject to the following additional restrictions: (1) No Election shall be effective for a Tax Date which occurs within six months of the grant or exercise of the award, except that this limitation shall not apply in the event death or Disability of the participant occurs prior to the expiration of the six-month period. (2) The Election must be made either six months prior to the Tax Date or must be made during a period beginning on the third business day following the date of release for publication of the Company's quarterly or annual summary statements of sales and earnings and ending on the twelfth business day following such date. 11.9. No Continued Employment, Engagement or Right to Corporate Assets. No participant under the Plan shall have any right, because of his or her participation, to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of time or to any right to continue his or her present or any other rate of compensation. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as giving an employee, a consultant, such persons' beneficiaries or any other person any equity or interests of any kind in the assets of the Company or creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company and any such person. 11.10. Deferral Permitted. Payment of cash or distribution of any shares of Common Stock to which a participant is entitled under any Incentive shall be made as provided in the Incentive. Payment may be deferred at the option of the participant if provided in the Incentive. 11.11. Amendment of the Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or discontinue the Plan at any time; provided, however, that no amendments to the Plan will be effective without approval of the stockholders of the Company if stockholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code or the rules of any stock exchange or Nasdaq or similar regulatory body. No termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Incentive without the consent of the affected participant; provided, however, that this sentence will not impair the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Section 11.6 of the Plan. 11.12. Definition of Fair Market Value. For purposes of this Plan, the "Fair Market Value" of a share of Common Stock at a specified date shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan, be the amount which the Committee or the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion to be 100% of the fair market value of such a share as of the date in question; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if such shares are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System or Nasdaq SmallCap Stock Market (collectively, "Nasdaq"), then Fair Market Value shall be determined by reference to the last sale price of a share of Common Stock on such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq on the applicable date. If such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq is closed for trading on such date, or if the Common Stock does not trade on such date, then the last sale price used shall be the one on the date the Common Stock last traded on such U.S. securities exchange or Nasdaq. 11.13 Breach of Confidentiality, Assignment of Inventions, or Non-Compete Agreements. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event that a participant materially breaches the terms of any confidentiality, assignment of inventions, or non-compete agreement entered into with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, whether such breach occurs before or after termination of such participant's employment or other service with the Company or any subsidiary, the Committee in its sole discretion may immediately terminate all rights of the participant under the Plan and any agreements evidencing an Incentive then held by the participant without notice of any kind. 11.14 Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan and any rules, regulations and actions relating to the Plan will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdictions. 11.15 Successors and Assigns. The Plan will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the participants in the Plan.


                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



                                         February 12, 2004




Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
787 Seventh Avenue, 48th Floor
New York, NY  10019

      Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted on behalf of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company")
in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
relating to registration of an aggregate of 5,400,000 shares of Common Stock,
$.001 par value, to be issued by the Company (the "Shares"), pursuant to the
terms of the Company's 2003 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Upon examination of
such corporate documents and records as we have deemed necessary or advisable
for the purposes hereof, it is our opinion that:

         1. The Company is a validly existing corporation in good standing under
            the laws of the State of Delaware.

         2. The Shares, when issued and paid for as contemplated by the Plan,
            and when delivered against payment thereof in the manner
            contemplated by the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and
            non-assessable.

      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.


                                  Very truly yours,


                                  /s/ Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on
Form S-8 of our report, which is included in the Company's Form 8-K/A filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2003 and contains an
explanatory paragraph relating to Manhattan Research and Development, Inc.'s
(formerly known as Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) ability to continue as a
going concern, dated February 14, 2003, except for Notes 1, 2, and 10, which are
as of February 21, 2003 on the financial statements of Manhattan Research
Development, Inc. as of December 31, 2002, and for the year then ended and for
the period from August 1, 2001 (date of inception) to December 31, 2002. We also
consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on Form
S-8 of our report, which is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2003 and
contains an explanatory paragraph relating to Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s
(formerly known as Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.) ability to continue as a
going concern, dated February 14, 2003, except for Notes 1 and 14 which are as
of February 21, 2003 and Note 13 which is as of March 1, 2003 on the
consolidated financial statements of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of
December 31, 2002 and for the year then ended and for the period from July 13,
1993 (date of inception) to December 31, 2002.




                                             /s/      J.H. COHN LLP

Roseland, New Jersey
February 11, 2004


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



      We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the foregoing
Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated November 1, 2002,
relating to the financial statements of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of
December 31, 2001 and for the period from August 6, 2001 (inception) to December
31, 2001, which appears in the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2003.



                                                /s/ Weinberg & Company, P.A.
                                                Weinberg & Company, P.A.
                                                Certified Public Accountants

Boca Raton, Florida
February 12, 2004


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3

                          Independent Auditors' Consent

The Board of Directors
Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(formerly Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.):

We consent to the use of our report dated March 22, 2002, with respect to the
consolidated balance sheet of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Atlantic
Technology Ventures, Inc. (a development stage company)) as of December 31,
2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity (deficiency), and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001 and
2000, and for the period from July 13, 1993 (inception) to December 31, 2001,
incorporated herein by reference.

Our report dated March 22, 2002 contains an explanatory paragraph that states
that the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has limited
liquid resources that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a
going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.


                                                      /s/ KPMG LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey
February 11, 2004