content: <HTML>
  <HEAD>
  <TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
  </HEAD>
  <BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-_____
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>77-0602661</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or Other Jurisdiction of <BR>
  Incorporation or Organization)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
  Identification No.)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>300 Third Street <BR>
  Cambridge, Massachusetts</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="bottom"><B>02142</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">
  (Zip Code)</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>2004 Stock Incentive Plan</B><BR>
  (Full Title of the Plan)</DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.<BR>
  Chief Executive Officer<BR>
  Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.<BR>
  300 Third Street<BR>
  Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142</B><BR>
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)<BR><BR>
  
  <B>(617)&nbsp;551-8200</B><BR>
  (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)</DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
  filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large
  accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the
  Exchange Act. (Check one):
  </DIV>
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR style="font-size: 6pt">
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Non-accelerated filer &nbsp; <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT><BR>
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
      <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Smaller Reporting Company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="26%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount of</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">Title of Securities to be</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount to be</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Maximum Offering</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Aggregate Offering</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registration</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registered</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registered (1)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Price Per Share (3)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Price (3)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Fee</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock
  (including
  associated Series&nbsp;A
  Junior
  Participating
  Preferred Stock
  Rights), $0.01 par
  value per share
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">4,109,339 shares (2)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">19.015</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">78,139,081.09</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">3,070.87</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left">
  <DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 3pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV>
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR>
      <TD width="3%"></TD>
      <TD width="1%"></TD>
      <TD width="96"></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>In accordance with Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this registration statement shall be deemed to cover any additional
  securities that may from time to time be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting
  from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Consists of an additional 4,109,339 shares issuable under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as
  amended, pursuant to the terms of such plan.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act and based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
  Registrant&#146;s Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on February 27, 2009.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  
  
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  <!--TOC-->
  <!--/TOC-->
  
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>STATEMENT OF INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement on Form S-8 incorporates by reference the contents of the
  Registration Statements on Form S-8, File No.&nbsp;333-148114, filed by the Registrant on December&nbsp;17,
  2007, File No.&nbsp;333-127450, filed by the Registrant on August&nbsp;11, 2005 and File No.&nbsp;333-116151,
  filed by the Registrant on June&nbsp;3, 2004, relating to the Registrant&#146;s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as
  amended.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->- 1 -<!-- /Folio -->
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 of Cambridge, Commonwealth of
  Massachusetts on this
  2<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">nd</sup> day of March,
  2009.
  </DIV>
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR>
      <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="3" align="left">ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.<BR>
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->- 2 -<!-- /Folio -->
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned officers and directors of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hereby severally
  constitute and appoint John M. Maraganore and Patricia L. Allen, and each of them singly, our true
  and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our
  names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement on Form S-8 filed herewith and
  any and all subsequent amendments to said registration statement, and generally to do all such
  things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Alnylam
  Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, and all requirements of
  the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may
  be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all
  amendments thereto.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following
  persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  </DIV>
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer<BR>
  (Principal Executive
  Officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Patricia L. Allen
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Patricia L. Allen
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top">Vice President of
  Finance and
  Treasurer<BR>(Principal
  Financial and
  Accounting Officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;John K. Clarke
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  John K. Clarke
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor J. Dzau,&nbsp;M.D.
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Victor J. Dzau, M.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Vicki L. Sato,&nbsp;Ph.D.
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Vicki L. Sato, Ph.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Paul R. Schimmel,&nbsp;Ph.D.
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Paul R. Schimmel, Ph.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Edward M. Scolnick, M.D.
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Edward Scolnick, M.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Phillip A. Sharp,&nbsp;Ph.D.
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Kevin P. Starr
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Kevin P. Starr
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;James L. Vincent
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  James L. Vincent
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">March 2, 2009</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->- 3 -<!-- /Folio -->
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  <!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="95%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Number</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to
  the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q on August&nbsp;11, 2005 (File No.
  000-50743) and incorporated herein by reference)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.4 to the
  Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1/A, as amended, on April&nbsp;6, 2004
  (File No.&nbsp;333-113162) and incorporated herein by reference)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Rights Agreement dated July&nbsp;13, 2005 between the Registrant and EquiServe Trust
  Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the Registrant&#146;s Current
  Report of Form&nbsp;8-K on July&nbsp;14, 2005 (File No.&nbsp;000-50743) and incorporated herein
  by reference)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, counsel to the Registrant</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
  Firm</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP, Independent Auditors of Regulus Therapeutics LLC</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->- 4 -<!-- /Folio -->
  </DIV>
  
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "b74483apsv8.htm", "description": "ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.", "secsgml_size_bytes": 28335}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.", "cik": "0001178670", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "770602661", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-157633", "film-number": "09647995"}, "business-address": {"street1": "300 THIRD STREET", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02142", "phone": "(617) 551-8200"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "300 THIRD STREET", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02142"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS INC", "date-changed": "20020724"}}
text: sv8
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009
  Registration No. 333-_____
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  Delaware
  77-0602661
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of
  Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  300 Third Street
  Cambridge, Massachusetts
  02142
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  2004 Stock Incentive Plan
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  Chief Executive Officer
  Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  300 Third Street
  Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)
  (617) 551-8200
  (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
  filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
  accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
  Exchange Act. (Check one):
  Large accelerated filer
  þ
  Accelerated filer
  o
  Non-accelerated filer
  o
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller Reporting Company
  o
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Proposed
  Proposed Maximum
  Amount of
  Title of Securities to be
  Amount to be
  Maximum Offering
  Aggregate Offering
  Registration
  Registered
  Registered (1)
  Price Per Share (3)
  Price (3)
  Fee
  Common Stock
  (including
  associated Series A
  Junior
  Participating
  Preferred Stock
  Rights), $0.01 par
  value per share
  4,109,339 shares (2)
  $
  19.015
  $
  78,139,081.09
  $
  3,070.87
  (1)
  In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  "Securities Act"), this registration statement shall be deemed to cover any additional
  securities that may from time to time be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting
  from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
  (2)
  Consists of an additional 4,109,339 shares issuable under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as
  amended, pursuant to the terms of such plan.
  (3)
  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act and based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
  Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on February 27, 2009.
  STATEMENT OF INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
  This Registration Statement on Form S-8 incorporates by reference the contents of the
  Registration Statements on Form S-8, File No. 333-148114, filed by the Registrant on December 17,
  2007, File No. 333-127450, filed by the Registrant on August 11, 2005 and File No. 333-116151,
  filed by the Registrant on June 3, 2004, relating to the Registrant's 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as
  amended.
  - 1 -
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 of Cambridge, Commonwealth of
  Massachusetts on this
  2
  nd
  day of March,
  2009.
  ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  By:
  /s/ John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  Chief Executive Officer
  - 2 -
  POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
  We, the undersigned officers and directors of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hereby severally
  constitute and appoint John M. Maraganore and Patricia L. Allen, and each of them singly, our true
  and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our
  names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement on Form S-8 filed herewith and
  any and all subsequent amendments to said registration statement, and generally to do all such
  things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Alnylam
  Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, and all requirements of
  the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may
  be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all
  amendments thereto.
  Pursuant to the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following
  persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/  John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
  Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive
  Officer)
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  Patricia L. Allen
  Patricia L. Allen
  Vice President of
  Finance and
  Treasurer
  (Principal
  Financial and
  Accounting Officer)
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  John K. Clarke
  John K. Clarke
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  Victor J. Dzau, M.D.
  Victor J. Dzau, M.D.
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  Vicki L. Sato, Ph.D.
  Vicki L. Sato, Ph.D.
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  Paul R. Schimmel, Ph.D.
  Paul R. Schimmel, Ph.D.
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  /s/ Edward M. Scolnick, M.D.
  Edward Scolnick, M.D.
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D.
  Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D.
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  Kevin P. Starr
  Kevin P. Starr
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  /s/  James L. Vincent
  James L. Vincent
  Director
  March 2, 2009
  - 3 -
  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  Number
  Description
  4.1
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
  the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on August 11, 2005 (File No.
  000-50743) and incorporated herein by reference)
  4.2
  Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the
  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, as amended, on April 6, 2004
  (File No. 333-113162) and incorporated herein by reference)
  4.3
  Rights Agreement dated July 13, 2005 between the Registrant and EquiServe Trust
  Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current
  Report of Form 8-K on July 14, 2005 (File No. 000-50743) and incorporated herein
  by reference)
  5.1
  Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, counsel to the Registrant
  23.1
  Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.2
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
  Firm
  23.3
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors of Regulus Therapeutics LLC
  24
  Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)
  - 4 -