apr2604_424b4
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(4)
   
TO PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 28, 2001 REGISTRATION NO. 333-37072

GENENTECH, INC.

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

     This prospectus supplement relates to the sale by certain selling shareholders of our common stock, par value $.02 per share, that was originally delivered in exchange for Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2015 issued by Roche Holdings, Inc.

     This prospectus supplement should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated March 28, 2001, which is to be delivered with this prospectus supplement. All capitalized terms used but not defined in the prospectus supplement shall have the meanings given them in the prospectus.

     The table below sets forth information as of the date hereof concerning beneficial ownership of the common stock of the selling shareholders as listed below. All information concerning beneficial ownership has been furnished by the selling shareholders.

    NUMBER OF       NUMBER OF    
    SHARES OF       SHARES OF    
    COMMON STOCK       COMMON STOCK   PERCENTAGE OF
    OWNED PRIOR TO   NUMBER OF   OWNED AFTER THE   COMMON STOCK
      NAME   OFFERING   SHARES OFFERED   OFFERING   OUTSTANDING
 
 
 
 
   ABN Amro NV   1,394,064   1,394,064   0   *
                 
   Arkansas PERS   16,873   16,873   0   *
                 
   Prudential Insurance Co of
   America		   1,471   1,471   0   *
                 
   State of Oregon/Equity   76,147   76,147   0   *
                 
   Duke Endowment   4,110   4,110   0   *
                 
   Louisiana CCRF   4,110   4,110   0   *
                 
   Delta Airlines Master Trust   9,864   9,864   0   *
                 
   Nuveen Preferred and
   Convertible Income Fund
   JPC		   106,347   106,347   0   *
                 
   Froley Revy Investment
   Convertible Security Fund		   2,466   2,466   0   *
                 
   Argent Classic Convertible
   Arbitrage (Bermuda) Fund
   Ltd.		   35,477   35,477   0   *
                 
               
* Less than 1%


THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE
“RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 OF THE PROSPECTUS.

     THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The date of this Prospectus Supplement is April 28, 2004.