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  <xs:element id="nktr_OtherPartnerMember" abstract="true" name="OtherPartnerMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LegalMattersMember" abstract="true" name="LegalMattersMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable" abstract="true" name="OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_AccruedClinicalTrialExpensesCurrent" abstract="false" name="AccruedClinicalTrialExpensesCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_GainLossOnRevaluationOfLiabilitiesRelatedToTheSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesGross" abstract="false" name="GainLossOnRevaluationOfLiabilitiesRelatedToTheSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesGross" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2020Member" abstract="true" name="PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2020Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_RestructuringImpairmentAndOtherCostsOfTerminatedProgramMember" abstract="true" name="RestructuringImpairmentAndOtherCostsOfTerminatedProgramMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestones" abstract="false" name="PotentialDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestones" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_EliLillyAndCompanyMember" abstract="true" name="EliLillyAndCompanyMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments" abstract="false" name="CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LiabilitiesOnSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesUnamortizedTransactionCosts" abstract="false" name="LiabilitiesOnSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesUnamortizedTransactionCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PercentageOfSharingInProductionCosts" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfSharingInProductionCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_RoyaltiesLiabilityMeasurementInput" abstract="false" name="RoyaltiesLiabilityMeasurementInput" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:decimalItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsAbstract" abstract="true" name="LicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_ScheduleOfLiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfLiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_SubleaseOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsMember" abstract="true" name="SubleaseOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PercentageOfSharingInDevelopmentCosts" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfSharingInDevelopmentCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_TotalPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExcludingConstructionInProgressMember" abstract="true" name="TotalPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExcludingConstructionInProgressMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LongTermInvestmentMaturityPeriod" abstract="false" name="LongTermInvestmentMaturityPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_MilestoneOneMember" abstract="true" name="MilestoneOneMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PercentageOfFundingPhaseThreeDevelopmentCostsOnAnIndicationByIndicationBasisBorne" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfFundingPhaseThreeDevelopmentCostsOnAnIndicationByIndicationBasisBorne" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_CashAndInvestmentsInMarketableSecuritiesTable" abstract="true" name="CashAndInvestmentsInMarketableSecuritiesTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_SubleasePropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember" abstract="true" name="SubleasePropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_MilestoneAxis" abstract="true" name="MilestoneAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsNetOfOperatingLeaseLiabilities" abstract="false" name="IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsNetOfOperatingLeaseLiabilities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentMilestones" abstract="false" name="PotentialDevelopmentMilestones" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_EmployeeSeveranceWithNoServicePeriodMember" abstract="true" name="EmployeeSeveranceWithNoServicePeriodMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LicenseCollaborationAndOtherRevenueMember" abstract="true" name="LicenseCollaborationAndOtherRevenueMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesTextBlock" abstract="false" name="LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PartialRepaymentOfRoyaltySaleProceeds" abstract="false" name="PartialRepaymentOfRoyaltySaleProceeds" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_CashAndInvestmentsInMarketableSecuritiesLineItems" abstract="true" name="CashAndInvestmentsInMarketableSecuritiesLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_SharePurchaseAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="SharePurchaseAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_ReimbursementOfExpenses" abstract="false" name="ReimbursementOfExpenses" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PercentageOfDevelopmentMilestonesPaymentsToBeReceivedIfConditionsOccur" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfDevelopmentMilestonesPaymentsToBeReceivedIfConditionsOccur" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PercentageOfSharingInPhaseTwoDevelopmentCosts" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfSharingInPhaseTwoDevelopmentCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedUnderLicenseAgreement" abstract="false" name="UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedUnderLicenseAgreement" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedFromLicenseAgreements" abstract="false" name="UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedFromLicenseAgreements" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" abstract="false" name="NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_CollaborativeArrangementCommittedFunding" abstract="false" name="CollaborativeArrangementCommittedFunding" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_Nektar214Member" abstract="true" name="Nektar214Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_BuildingAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember" abstract="true" name="BuildingAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesMember" abstract="true" name="NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_Nektar358Member" abstract="true" name="Nektar358Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_OrganizationPolicyTextBlock" abstract="false" name="OrganizationPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesNonCurrentNetOfIssuanceCosts" abstract="false" name="LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesNonCurrentNetOfIssuanceCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceived" abstract="false" name="SaleOfStockConsiderationReceived" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfRoyalties" abstract="false" name="NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfRoyalties" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCollaborationAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="BristolMyersSquibbCollaborationAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetFairValueDisclosure" abstract="false" name="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetFairValueDisclosure" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_DevelopmentDerivativeLiabilityTextBlock" abstract="false" name="DevelopmentDerivativeLiabilityTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityResearchAndDevelopmentExpense" abstract="false" name="FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityResearchAndDevelopmentExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PercentageOfDevelopmentMilestonesPaymentsToBeReceivedUnderCertainConditions" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfDevelopmentMilestonesPaymentsToBeReceivedUnderCertainConditions" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_EmployeeSeveranceWithServicePeriodRequirementMember" abstract="true" name="EmployeeSeveranceWithServicePeriodRequirementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" abstract="true" name="LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_RoyaltyMonetizationProceeds" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyMonetizationProceeds" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCompanyMember" abstract="true" name="BristolMyersSquibbCompanyMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems" abstract="true" name="OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2012Member" abstract="true" name="PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2012Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_MilestoneDomain" abstract="true" name="MilestoneDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_DebtInvestmentMaturityTerm" abstract="false" name="DebtInvestmentMaturityTerm" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_CollaborativeArrangementSuccessBasedPaymentsAmount" abstract="false" name="CollaborativeArrangementSuccessBasedPaymentsAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LaboratoryEquipmentMember" abstract="true" name="LaboratoryEquipmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_ComputerEquipmentAndSoftwareMember" abstract="true" name="ComputerEquipmentAndSoftwareMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember" abstract="true" name="TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_PreferredStockShareDesignated" abstract="false" name="PreferredStockShareDesignated" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesNonCurrent" abstract="false" name="LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesNonCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_ScheduleOfPurchaseAndSaleAgreementTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfPurchaseAndSaleAgreementTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_EliLillyMember" abstract="true" name="EliLillyMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTable" abstract="true" name="LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="nktr_OpdivoMember" abstract="true" name="OpdivoMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
