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  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;31, 2008
  </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; margin-top:6pt">&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>Idera 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><BR>
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of <BR>
  Incorporation or Organization)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>04-3072298</B><BR>
  (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>167 Sidney Street <BR>
  Cambridge, Massachusetts</B><BR>
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="bottom"><B>02139</B><BR>
  (Zip Code)</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</B><BR>
  (Full Title of the Plan)</DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.<BR>
  Chief Executive Officer<BR>
  Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.<BR>
  167 Sidney Street<BR>
  Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139</B><BR>
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)<BR>
  <B>(617)&nbsp;679-5500</B><BR>
  (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)</DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">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;12b2 of the Exchange Act.
  (Check one):</DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 0pt">
      <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><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="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" 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 nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">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 Registered</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registered(1)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff">Offering Price Per Share</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff">Aggregate Offering Price</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registration 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, $0.001 par value per
  share (including the associated
  Preferred Stock Purchase Rights)</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 align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">125,000 shares</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="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$14.78 (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="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$1,847,500(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="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$73.00</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="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR style="font-size: 3pt">
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</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, 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>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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
  July&nbsp;28, 2008.</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">
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><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 is filed to register the offer and sale of an
  additional 125,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, to be
  issued under the Registrant&#146;s 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. This Registration Statement
  incorporates by reference the contents of the registration statements on form S-8, File Nos.
  333-03896, 333-116011 and 333-137687, filed by the Registrant on April&nbsp;23, 1996, May&nbsp;28, 2004 and
  September&nbsp;29, 2006, respectively, relating to the Registrant&#146;s 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has opined as to the legality of the securities
  being offered by this registration statement.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Exhibit&nbsp;Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  </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">
  <!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><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 of 1933, as amended, 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 Cambridge, Massachusetts, on this 31<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">st</SUP>
  day of July, 2008.
  </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">IDERA 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/ Sudhir Agrawal
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil.&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><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 Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hereby severally
  constitute and appoint Sudhir Agrawal and Louis J. Arcudi, III, 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 Idera
  Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James B. Wyngaarden
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  James B. Wyngaarden, M.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Chairman of the Board of Directors&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008&nbsp;</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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Sudhir Agrawal
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer, Chief
  Scientific Officer and Director
  (Principal Executive Officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008</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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Louis J. Arcudi, III
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Louis J. Arcudi, III
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer,
  Treasurer and Secretary<br>
  (Principal Financial Officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008</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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Youssef El Zein
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Youssef El Zein
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008 </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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ C. Keith Hartley
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  C. Keith Hartley
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008&nbsp;</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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert W. Karr
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Robert W. Karr, M.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008&nbsp;</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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Hans Mueller
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Hans Mueller, Ph.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008&nbsp;</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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William S. Reardon
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  William S. Reardon
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008&nbsp;</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="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Alison Taunton-Rigby
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Alison Taunton-Rigby, Ph.D.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">July&nbsp;31, 2008&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </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">
  
  <!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</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="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center">EXHIBIT</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">&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>
  <TR valign="bottom">
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1 (1)
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Rights Agreement dated December&nbsp;10, 2001 between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services
  LLC, as rights agent</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 (2)
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to Rights Agreement dated as of August&nbsp;27, 2003 between the Registrant and
  Mellon Investor Services 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">4.3 (3)
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amendment No.&nbsp;2 to Rights Agreement dated as of March&nbsp;24, 2006 between the Registrant and
  Mellon Investor Services 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">4.4 (4)
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amendment No.&nbsp;3 to Rights Agreement dated as of January&nbsp;16, 2007 between the Registrant and
  Mellon Investor Services 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">5.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP</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 Ernst &#038; Young LLP</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 Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 filed herewith)</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">24.1
  </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>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="left">
  <DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px 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>Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-2, dated October&nbsp;10, 2003 (File No.&nbsp;333-109630)
  and incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August&nbsp;29, 2003 (File No.&nbsp;000-27352) and
  incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March&nbsp;29, 2006 (File No.&nbsp;001-31918) and
  incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(4)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January&nbsp;17, 2007 (File No.&nbsp;001-31918) and
  incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </DIV>
  
  </BODY>
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.", "cik": "0000861838", "assigned-sic": "2836", "irs-number": "043072298", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-152670", "film-number": "08981490"}, "business-address": {"street1": "167 SIDNEY STREET", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02139", "phone": "6176795500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "167 SIDNEY STREET", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02139"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "HYBRIDON INC", "date-changed": "19951211"}}
text: sv8
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2008
  Registration No. 333-_____
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  Delaware
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of
  Incorporation or Organization)
  04-3072298
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  167 Sidney Street
  Cambridge, Massachusetts
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  02139
  (Zip Code)
  1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.
  Chief Executive Officer
  Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  167 Sidney Street
  Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)
  (617) 679-5500
  (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 12b2 of the Exchange Act.
  (Check one):
  Large accelerated filer
  o
  Accelerated filer
  þ
  Non-accelerated filer
  o
  Smaller reporting company
  o
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Amount to be
  Proposed Maximum
  Proposed Maximum
  Amount of
  Title of Securities to be Registered
  Registered(1)
  Offering Price Per Share
  Aggregate Offering Price
  Registration Fee
  Common Stock, $0.001 par value per
  share (including the associated
  Preferred Stock Purchase Rights)
  125,000 shares
  $14.78 (2)
  $1,847,500(2)
  $73.00
  (1)
  In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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)
  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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
  July 28, 2008.
  STATEMENT OF INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
  This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed to register the offer and sale of an
  additional 125,000 shares of the Registrant's common stock, $0.001 par value per share, to be
  issued under the Registrant's 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. This Registration Statement
  incorporates by reference the contents of the registration statements on form S-8, File Nos.
  333-03896, 333-116011 and 333-137687, filed by the Registrant on April 23, 1996, May 28, 2004 and
  September 29, 2006, respectively, relating to the Registrant's 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has opined as to the legality of the securities
  being offered by this registration statement.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Cambridge, Massachusetts, on this 31
  st
  day of July, 2008.
  IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  By:
  /s/ Sudhir Agrawal
  Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil.
  Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
  We, the undersigned officers and directors of Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hereby severally
  constitute and appoint Sudhir Agrawal and Louis J. Arcudi, III, 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 Idera
  Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
  statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ James B. Wyngaarden
  James B. Wyngaarden, M.D.
  Chairman of the Board of Directors
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ Sudhir Agrawal
  Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.
  Chief Executive Officer, Chief
  Scientific Officer and Director
  (Principal Executive Officer)
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ Louis J. Arcudi, III
  Louis J. Arcudi, III
  Chief Financial Officer,
  Treasurer and Secretary
  (Principal Financial Officer)
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ Youssef El Zein
  Youssef El Zein
  Director
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ C. Keith Hartley
  C. Keith Hartley
  Director
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ Robert W. Karr
  Robert W. Karr, M.D.
  Director
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ Hans Mueller
  Hans Mueller, Ph.D.
  Director
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ William S. Reardon
  William S. Reardon
  Director
  July 31, 2008
  /s/ Alison Taunton-Rigby
  Alison Taunton-Rigby, Ph.D.
  Director
  July 31, 2008
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER
  DESCRIPTION
  4.1 (1)
  Rights Agreement dated December 10, 2001 between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services
  LLC, as rights agent
  4.2 (2)
  Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated as of August 27, 2003 between the Registrant and
  Mellon Investor Services LLC
  4.3 (3)
  Amendment No. 2 to Rights Agreement dated as of March 24, 2006 between the Registrant and
  Mellon Investor Services LLC
  4.4 (4)
  Amendment No. 3 to Rights Agreement dated as of January 16, 2007 between the Registrant and
  Mellon Investor Services LLC
  5.1
  Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
  23.1
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  23.2
  Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 filed herewith)
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)
  (1)
  Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-2, dated October 10, 2003 (File No. 333-109630)
  and incorporated herein by reference.
  (2)
  Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 29, 2003 (File No. 000-27352) and
  incorporated herein by reference.
  (3)
  Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 29, 2006 (File No. 001-31918) and
  incorporated herein by reference.
  (4)
  Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
  Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 17, 2007 (File No. 001-31918) and
  incorporated herein by reference.