SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                 OCTOBER 9, 2000
           -----------------------------------------------------------
                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

                        INHALE THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS, INC.
           -----------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                 023556                      94-3134940
- --------------------------------  -------------  -------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of    (Commission                (I.R.S. Employer
         incorporation)            File Number)              Identification No.)


                               150 Industrial Road
                              SAN CARLOS, CA 94070
                   ------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (650) 631-3100
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



              ----------------------------------------------------
                   (Former name, if changed since last report)





ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

         On October 9, 2000, Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc. announced its
intention to issue $150 million aggregate principal amount of convertible
subordinated notes ($172.5 million if an over-allotment option is exercised in
full). A press release relating to the issuance is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

         (c)      Exhibits

                  99.1     Press Release dated October 9, 2000

 .

                                       2.


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                  INHALE THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS, INC.

Dated:    October 9, 2000         By: /s/ Brigid A. Makes
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Brigid A. Makes,
                                     Chief Financial Officer and
                                     Vice President, Finance and Administration




                                       3.



                                  EXHIBIT 99.1

CONTACT:  Joyce Strand (Inhale) (650) 631-3138

      INHALE ANNOUNCES PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES

SAN CARLOS, CALIF., OCTOBER 9, 2000 - Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq:INHL) today announced that it intends to issue $150 million aggregate
principal amount of convertible subordinated notes ($172.5 million if an
over-allotment option is exercised in full). It intends to sell the notes in a
private offering to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes will be convertible into shares of
Inhale's common stock and will have a seven-year term.

The net proceeds of the offering will be used by Inhale to invest in various
product development programs relating to the company's business strategy, to
accelerate development of its next-generation technologies, and to provide
resources for potential acquisition and development of complementary
technologies, as well as for working capital and other general corporate
purposes. A portion of the proceeds may also be used to make cash payments to
certain holders of the 5% convertible subordinated notes due 2007 issued in
February 2000 in exchange for their agreement to convert into common stock. The
offering is subject to market conditions and other factors.

The notes to be offered will not be registered under the Securities Act or
applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United
States absent registration under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws or available exemptions from the registration requirements.

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's
current views as to Inhale's business strategy, product and technology
development plans and funding, collaborative arrangements, clinical trials, and
other future events and operations. These forward-looking statements involve
uncertainties and other risks that are detailed in Inhale's reports and other
filings with the SEC, including its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June
30, 2000. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking
statements.

                                      # # #



                                       4.