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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7)

Registration No. 333-209694

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated February 24, 2016)

34,033,451 Shares

Incyte Corporation

Common Stock

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement may sell up to an aggregate of 34,033,451 shares of our common stock. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

Our registration of the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus supplement does not mean that the selling stockholders will offer or sell any of the shares of our common stock. The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement may sell the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus supplement in a number of different ways and at varying prices. For additional information on the possible methods of sale that may be used by the selling stockholders, you should refer to the information under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “INCY.”  On March 8, 2017, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market was $136.00 per share.

Investing in our securities involves risks.  See the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus supplement is March 10, 2017

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts.  The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. If there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference, on the other hand, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, later.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone else to provide you with information that is in addition to or different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.  This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of our common stock in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the accompanying prospectus, and the information in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or of any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.  It is important for you to read and consider all information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, before investing in our common stock.

In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “Incyte,” “company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Incyte Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or others. Incyte is a registered trademark of Incyte Corporation.  All other trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information about us and this offering.  Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing.  Before you decide to invest in our common stock, you should read carefully and in their entirety this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the section in this prospectus supplement entitled “Risk Factors,” and the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, along with our financial statements and accompanying notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Our Company

Incyte is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics. Our global headquarters is located in Wilmington, Delaware and we conduct our European clinical development operations from our offices in Geneva, Switzerland and Lausanne, Switzerland.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1991. Our principal executive offices are located at 1801 Augustine Cut-Off, Wilmington, DE 19803. Our telephone number at this location is (302) 498-6700.  Our website is www.incyte.com.  Information on our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

The Offering

Entities affiliated with one of our directors, Julian C. Baker, are offering the shares of our common stock registered pursuant to this prospectus supplement, which may be sold from time to time. Throughout this prospectus supplement, when we refer to the shares of our common stock being registered on behalf of the selling stockholders, we are referring to all shares of common stock reported to us as held by the selling stockholders as of March 8, 2017. We agreed to file this prospectus supplement pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement with the selling stockholders dated February 12, 2016. Additional information with respect to the Registration Rights Agreement is contained in this prospectus supplement under the heading “Selling Stockholders.”

When we refer to the selling stockholders in this prospectus supplement, we are referring to the entities named in this prospectus supplement as the selling stockholders and, as applicable, any donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus supplement from the selling stockholders as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other non-sale related transfer.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors described below and the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding to invest in our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to the Common Stock and this Offering

Because the price of our common stock has been volatile historically, it may be difficult for you to resell the common stock at a price that is acceptable to you or at all.

The market price of our common stock, like that of the common stock of many other biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile. In addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has significantly affected the market prices of securities of many biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for reasons frequently unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the specific companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Prices for our common stock will be determined in the market place and may be influenced by numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

·                  actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly or annual results of operations (including sales of JAKAFI), cash flows, financial condition or liquidity;

·                  the financial projections or guidance we may provide to the public, any changes in those projections or guidance or our failure to meet those projections or guidance;

·                  actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;

·                  investors’ perceptions of us and investors’ and securities analysts’ perceptions of general economic, industry and market conditions;

·                  announcements of data from, or material developments in, our clinical trials or those of our collaborators or competitors, including delays in the commencement, progress or completion of a clinical trial or adverse results in a clinical trial;

·                  actions taken by FDA or other regulatory agencies with respect to our, our collaborators’ or our competitors’ products or clinical trials;

·                  announcements of new products by us or our competitors;

·                  announcements of collaborative relationships by us or our competitors and our ability to enter into and maintain existing collaborative relationships;

·                  litigation and other developments relating to our products and our patents or other proprietary rights or those of our competitors or other litigation against us and our directors and officers;

·                  additions or departures of key management personnel;

·                  the inclusion, exclusion, or deletion of our stock from any trading indices, such as the S&P 500 Index;

·                  strategic transactions involving us or our competitors;

·                  actions by government regulators and legislators;

·                  sales of a substantial amount of our securities;

·                  media coverage of trends, concerns and other issues related to us or our industry, including changes in

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                        regulations; and

·                  other events or factors, including those resulting from war or incidents of terrorism, or responses to those events.

Companies that have experienced volatility in the market prices of their stock have been the object of securities class action litigation. If we were the object of securities class action litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, regardless of the merits.

We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you must rely on stock appreciation for any return on your investment.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends will also depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors and will be at the discretion of our board of directors. Accordingly, you will have to rely on capital appreciation, if any, to earn a return on your investment in our common stock. Furthermore, we may in the future become subject to contractual restrictions on, or prohibitions against, the payment of dividends.

We have various mechanisms in place to discourage takeover attempts, which may reduce or eliminate our stockholders’ ability to sell their shares for a premium in a change of control transaction.

Various provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware corporate law may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or takeover attempt of our company by a third party that is opposed by our management and board of directors. Public stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change of control or change in our management and board of directors. These provisions include:

·                  no cumulative voting for directors, which would otherwise allow less than a majority of stockholders to elect director candidates;

·                  control by our board of directors of the size of our board of directors;

·                  limitations on the ability of stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders;

·                  advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by our stockholders at stockholder meetings; and

·                  the ability of our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with rights that are senior to those of our common stock.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, that are incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future periods, future events or our future operating or financial plan or performance. These statements can often be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects”, “believes”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “plans”, “may”, or “will”, or the negative of these terms, and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  We discuss many of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and other sections of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the other documents we have filed with the SEC and that are incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference, which address additional factors that could cause results or events to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

All of the shares of common stock being offered hereby are being sold by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling stockholders.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth, to our knowledge, certain information as of March 8, 2017 regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by the selling stockholders and the shares being offered by the selling stockholders. Information with respect to beneficial ownership is based upon information obtained from the selling stockholders. Information with respect to shares owned beneficially after the offering assumes the sale of all of the shares offered and no other purchases or sales of our common stock. The selling stockholders may offer and sell some, all or none of their shares. This table does not include certain shares of our common stock held by affiliates of the selling stockholders.

Julian C. Baker, a member of the board of directors of Incyte, is a principal of Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC, which is affiliated with the selling stockholders.

On February 12, 2016, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Funds pursuant to which we agreed that, if requested by the Funds, we would register the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act.  Our registration obligations under this Registration Rights Agreement cover all shares of our common stock now held or later acquired by the selling stockholders, will continue in effect for up to 10 years, and include our obligation to facilitate certain underwritten public offerings of our common stock by the selling stockholders in the future.  This prospectus supplement is being filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus supplement from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other non-sale related transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions.  These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:

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·                  ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

·                  block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

·                  purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

·                  an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

·                  privately negotiated transactions;

·                  underwritten transactions;

·                  short sales effected after the date the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are a part is declared effective by the SEC;

·                  through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

·                  through the distribution of the common stock by any selling stockholder to its partners, members or stockholders;

·                  broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;

·                  a combination of any such methods of sale; and

·                  any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

In addition, any shares covered by this prospectus supplement that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus supplement.

The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or under an amendment or supplement to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.  The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume.  The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities.  The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any.  Each of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents.  We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.

The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act.  Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.  Selling stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.  Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us and the selling stockholders, to indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under

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the Securities Act.

To facilitate the offering of the shares offered by the selling stockholders, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock. This may include over-allotments or short sales, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more shares than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the common stock by bidding for or purchasing shares in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if shares sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement and any document we file with the SEC at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies, such as ours, that file documents electronically with the SEC. The address of that site on the world wide web is http://www.sec.gov. The information on the SEC’s web site is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and any references to this web site or any other web site are inactive textual references only.

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.  Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.  Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date those documents are filed.  We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:

·                  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016;

·                  our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2016 (as amended by Forms 8-K/A filed on July 1, 2016 and March 10, 2017), January 23, 2017, February 14, 2017, and February 21, 2017; and

·                  the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on January 5, 1996, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

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We also incorporate by reference all additional documents that we file with the SEC under the terms of Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are between the date of this prospectus supplement and the termination of any offering of securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.  We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules.

You may request a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference but not delivered with this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and number:  Investor Relations, Incyte Corporation, 1801 Augustine Cut-Off, Wilmington, DE 19803, telephone (302) 498-6700.  We will not, however, send exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents.

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PROSPECTUS

INCYTE CORPORATION

Debt Securities

Common Stock
Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Purchase Contracts

Purchase Units

Warrants

We or selling securityholders may, from time to time, offer and sell the securities identified above in one or more offerings.  This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered.  We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus.  The prospectus supplements will also describe the manner in which these securities will be offered and may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus.  You should read carefully this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest.

We may, and any selling securityholders may, offer these securities independently or together in any combination for sale directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents.  If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of these securities, we will set forth their names and describe their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “INCY.”  On February 23, 2016, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market was $72.01 per share.

Investing in our securities involves risks.  See the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in or incorporated by reference into any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is February 24, 2016.

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We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you.  We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you.  We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.  You should assume that the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, or incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of the dates of those documents.  Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration, or continuous offering, process.  Under this shelf registration process, we or selling securityholders may, from time to time, offer and sell separately or together in any combination the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling securityholder may offer.  Each time we or any selling securityholder sells securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the offered securities.  Any prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus.  Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement.  The registration statement we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detail of the matters discussed in this prospectus.  You should read this prospectus and the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making your investment decision.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “Incyte,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Incyte Corporation.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering will contain or incorporate by reference a discussion of risks applicable to an investment in the securities offered.  Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in or incorporated by reference into the applicable prospectus supplement together with all of the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or appearing in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K.  The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

INCYTE CORPORATION

Incyte is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics to treat serious unmet medical needs, primarily in oncology. Incyte was incorporated in Delaware in 1991.  Our principal executive offices are located at 1801 Augustine Cut-Off, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, and our telephone number is (302) 498-6700.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this prospectus, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” “could,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or otherwise implied by the forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  We will discuss many of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in any prospectus supplement under the heading “Risk Factors.”  Additional cautionary statements or discussions of risks and uncertainties that could affect our results or the achievement of the expectations described in forward-looking statements may also be contained in the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus.  We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.  You should, however, review additional disclosures we make

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in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus for research and development and other general corporate purposes.  General corporate purposes may include additions to working capital, financing of capital expenditures, repayment or redemption of existing indebtedness, repurchases of stock, and future acquisitions and strategic investment opportunities.  Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, pending the application of net proceeds, we expect to invest the net proceeds in investment grade, interest-bearing securities. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling securityholders.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods indicated are set forth in the following table.  We did not have any preferred stock outstanding during the periods indicated below and, accordingly, have not included ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends because those ratios would be identical to the ratios of earnings to fixed charges.

(1)                                 The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing income (loss) before provision for income taxes plus fixed charges by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including interest expense from capital leases) and the estimated portion of rental expense deemed by us to be representative of the interest factor of rental payments under operating leases, plus amortization of debt issuance expenses. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $186.5 million, $44.1 million, $82.8 million and $48.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

(2)                                 NM — Not meaningful

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities.  We will file a prospectus supplement that may contain additional terms when we issue debt securities.  The terms presented here, together with the terms in a related prospectus supplement, together with any pricing supplement or term sheet, will be a description of the material terms of the debt securities.

We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series.  These debt securities that we may issue include senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities, convertible debt securities and exchangeable debt securities. The debt securities we offer will be issued under an indenture between us and the trustee named in the indenture. The following is a summary of the material provisions of the form of indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.  All capitalized terms have the meanings specified in the indenture.  For each series of debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement for the series may change and supplement the summary below.

As used in this section only, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Incyte Corporation excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

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General Terms of the Indenture

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue.  It provides that we may issue debt securities for any series of debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and they may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate.  Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.  For each series of debt securities, any restrictive covenants for those debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount.  These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for United States federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, because of interest payment and other characteristics.  Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities for a description of the following terms of the debt securities offered by that prospectus supplement and by this prospectus:

·                       the title of those debt securities;

·                       any limit on the aggregate principal amount of that series of debt securities;

·                       the date or dates on which principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities of that series is payable;

·                       the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or the method used to determine the rate or rates, and the date or dates from which interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will accrue, and the dates when interest is payable and related record dates;

·                       the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions;

·                       if the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto;

·                       the place or places where and the manner in which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will be payable and the place or places where those debt securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange;

·                       the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which those debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or the option of a holder of those securities, if we or a holder is to have that option;

·                       our obligation or right, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase those debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of those securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;

·                       the terms, if any, on which the debt securities of that series will be subordinate in right and priority of payment to our other debt;

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·                       the denominations in which those debt securities will be issuable;

·                       if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity as a result of a default on our obligations;

·                       whether those debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons or in a form registered as to principal only with coupons or in bearer form with coupons;

·                       whether any securities of that series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the depositary for those global securities;

·                       if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies in which payment of principal of or any premium or interest on those debt securities will be payable;

·                       if the principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities of that series is to be payable, or is to be payable at our election or the election of a holder of those securities, in securities or other property, the type and amount of those securities or other property, or the manner of determining that amount, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

·                       the events of default and covenants relating to the debt securities that are in addition to, modify or delete those described in this prospectus;

·                       conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or rates and adjustments thereto;

·                       whether and upon what terms the debt securities may be defeased, if different from the provisions set forth in the indenture;

·                       the nature and terms of any security for any secured debt securities;

·                       the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount; and

·                       any other specific terms of any debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement will present material United States federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are to be listed or quoted.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our equity securities or other securities.  The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The terms will include, among others, the following:

·                       the conversion or exchange price;

·                       the conversion or exchange period;

·                       provisions regarding our ability or the ability of any holder to convert or exchange the debt securities;

·                       events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and

·                       provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities.

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Consolidation, Merger or Sale

We cannot consolidate with or merge with or into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to, any person, unless we are the surviving corporation or the successor person is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture.  In addition, we cannot complete such a transaction unless immediately after completing the transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the indenture, has occurred and is continuing.  When the successor person has assumed our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, we will be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture except in limited circumstances.

This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control affecting us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets.

Events of Default

The indenture provides that the following will be “events of default” with respect to any series of debt securities:

·                       failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable;

·                       failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise and, in the case of technical or administrative difficulties, only if such default persists for a period of more than three business days;

·                       failure to make sinking fund payments when due and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

·                       failure to perform other covenants for 90 days after notice that performance was required;

·                       certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us; or

·                       any other event of default provided in the applicable officer’s certificate, resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under which we issue a series of debt securities.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture.  For each series of debt securities, any modifications to the above events of default will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

The indenture provides that if an event of default specified in the first, second, third, fourth or sixth bullets above occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) to be due and payable immediately.  If an event of default specified in the fifth bullet above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) will be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder.  In certain cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of holders of all those debt securities, rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration.

The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us.  Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

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·                       the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and continuance of such default;

·                       the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested that the trustee institute the action;

·                       the requesting holders have offered the trustee indemnity for the reasonable expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action;

·                       the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request and offer of indemnity; and

·                       the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.

We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We can discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as stated below.

We may discharge obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year.  We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities at any time, which we refer to as defeasance.  We may also be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those covenants without creating an event of default under the trust declaration, which we refer to as covenant defeasance.  We may effect defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:

·                       we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay at maturity, or upon redemption, the principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and any premium and interest on, all outstanding debt securities of the series; and

·                       we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that the holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and that defeasance or covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter the holders’ U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, and any premium and interest payments on, the series of debt securities.

In the case of a defeasance by us, the opinion we deliver must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law occurring, after the date of the indenture, since such a result would not occur under the U.S. federal income tax laws in effect on that date.

Although we may discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.

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Modification of the Indenture

The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to, among other things:

·                       evidence the assumption by a successor entity of our obligations;

·                       add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of debt securities, or to surrender any rights or power conferred upon us;

·                       add any additional events of default;

·                       add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in a manner that will become effective only when there is no outstanding debt security which is entitled to the benefit of the provision as to which the modification would apply;

·                       add guarantees with respect to or secure any debt securities;

·                       establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series;

·                       evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as is necessary for the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;

·                       cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency or defect in the indenture;

·                       modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or under any similar federal statute later enacted, and to add to the indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required by the Trust Indenture Act; and

·                       make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture that will not be inconsistent with any provision of the indenture as long as the new provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any outstanding debt securities of any series created prior to the modification.

The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of each series of debt securities affected by such supplemental indenture then outstanding, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or any supplemental indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities.  We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

·                       extend the final maturity of any debt security;

·                       reduce the principal amount or premium, if any;

·                       reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest;

·                       reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration;

·                       change the currency in which the principal, and any premium or interest, is payable;

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·                       impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due;

·                       if applicable, adversely affect the right of a holder to convert or exchange a debt security; or

·                       reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent is required for any modification of the indenture or for waivers of compliance with or defaults under the indenture with respect to debt securities of that series.

The indenture provides that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series, by notice to the relevant trustee, may on behalf of the holders of the debt securities of that series waive any default and its consequences under the indenture except:

·                       a default in the payment of, any premium and any interest on, or principal of, any such debt security held by a nonconsenting holder; or

·                       a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of each series affected.

Concerning the Trustee

The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each for one or more series of debt securities.  If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under that indenture.  Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only on the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture.  Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed from one or more series of debt securities.  All payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee for that series at an office designated by the trustee in New York, New York.

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee will exercise those rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

If the trustee becomes a creditor of ours, the indenture places limitations on the right of the trustee to obtain payment of claims or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.  The trustee may engage in other transactions.  If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties concerning the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors

The indenture provides that no past, present or future director, officer, stockholder or employee of ours, any of our affiliates, or any successor corporation, in their capacity as such, shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the shares of our common stock, $.001 par value per share, and preferred stock, $.001 par value per share.  This description is only a summary.  This description is only a summary.  Our restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws have been filed as exhibits to our periodic reports filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.  You should read our restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws for additional information before you buy any of our common stock, preferred stock or other securities.  See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Common Stock

We are authorized to issue 400,000,000 shares of common stock.  As of February 5, 2016, there were 187,199,761 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.  Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. We have not provided for cumulative voting for the election of directors in our restated certificate of incorporation. This means that the holders of a majority of the shares voted can elect all of the directors then standing for election. Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine from time to time. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of all liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.  As of February 5, 2016, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.  Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue from time to time the preferred stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares, designations, preferences, powers, and other rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as our board of directors may authorize, including:

·                       the distinctive designation of each series and the number of shares that will constitute the series;

·                       the voting rights, if any, of shares of the series and the terms and conditions of the voting rights;

·                       the dividend rate on the shares of the series, the dates on which dividends are payable, any restriction, limitation or condition upon the payment of dividends, whether dividends will be cumulative, and the dates from and after which dividends shall accumulate;

·                       the prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be redeemed, if the shares are redeemable;

·                       the terms and conditions of a sinking or purchase fund for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series, if such a fund is provided;

·                       any preferential amount payable upon shares of the series in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon the distribution of any of our assets; and

·                       the prices or rates of conversion or exchange at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be converted or exchanged into other securities, if the shares are convertible or exchangeable.

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock, and the transfer agent and registrar for that series, will be described in a prospectus supplement.   Any material United States federal income tax consequences and other

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special considerations with respect to any preferred stock offered under this prospectus will also be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of our common stock or adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of our common stock.  The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company, which could depress the market price of our common stock.

Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and of the Charter and Bylaws

The provisions of Delaware law, our restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws described below may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us.

Delaware Law.  We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware regulating corporate takeovers. In general, those provisions prohibit a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

·                       prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

·                       upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

·                       on or after the date the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

·                       any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

·                       any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

·                       subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

·                       any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

·                       the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons.

A Delaware corporation may opt out of these provisions either with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or in an amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws approved by its

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stockholders. However, we have not opted out, and do not currently intend to opt out of, these provisions. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.

Charter and Bylaws.  Our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that:

·                       stockholders may not call special meetings of the stockholders or fill vacancies on the board;

·                       our board of directors is authorized to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval; and

·                       we will indemnify officers and directors against losses that they may incur in investigations and legal proceedings resulting from their services to us, which may include services in connection with takeover defense measures.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description of the depositary shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the relevant deposit agreement and the depositary receipts with respect to the depositary shares relating to any particular series of preferred stock. You should read these documents as they, and not this description, will define your rights as a holder of depositary shares. Forms of these documents will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of depositary shares.

General

If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The bank or trust company must have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement.

The deposit agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts. Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in the underlying shares of preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in a prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of depositary shares.

If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale

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to the holders. The deposit agreement also will contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary shares.

Conversion, Exchange, Redemption and Liquidation

If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.

The terms on which the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock of any series may be redeemed, and any amounts distributable upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Voting

When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.

Amendments

We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the deposit agreement or that (b) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has mailed notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the 30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.

Termination

We may direct the depositary to terminate the deposit agreement by mailing a notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. In addition, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

· the depositary has redeemed all related outstanding depositary shares, or

· we have liquidated, terminated or wound up our business and the depositary has distributed the preferred stock of the relevant series to the holders of the related depositary shares.

Payment of Fees and Expenses

We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the deposit agreement for their accounts.

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Resignation and Removal of Depositary

At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.

Reports

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our certificate of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary’s obligations to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely upon the written advice of our counsel or accountants, on any information that competent people provide to us and on documents that we believe are genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as purchase contracts. The price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and the number of shares of each may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, often known as purchase units, consisting of one or more purchase contracts and beneficial interests in:

·                  debt securities;

·                  debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities; or

·                  any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the purchase contracts.

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase units or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under those contracts in a specified manner, including pledging their interest in another purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the purchase contracts and purchase units, including, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, or any combination thereof. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the other offered securities. Each series of warrants may be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into by us with a warrant agent. The applicable warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.  Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of the warrants, including, as applicable, the following:

·                  the title of the warrants;

·                  the aggregate number of the warrants;

·                  the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

·                  the designation, terms and number of shares of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

·                  the designation and terms of the offered securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of the warrants issued with each offered security;

·                  the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

·                  the price at which each share of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

·                  the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which that right shall expire;

·                  the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

·                  information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

·                  a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and

·                  any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

FORMS OF SECURITIES

Each debt security, depositary share, purchase contract, purchase unit and warrant will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, certificated securities will be issued in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, depositary shares, purchase contracts, purchase units or warrants represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

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Registered Global Securities

We may issue the registered debt securities, depositary shares, purchase contracts, purchase units and warrants in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, purchase contract, warrant agreement or purchase unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

·                  will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names;

·                  will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form; and

·                  will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, depositary share agreement, purchase contract, purchase unit agreement or warrant agreement.

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, depositary share agreement, purchase contract, purchase unit agreement or warrant agreement.

We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, depositary share agreement, purchase contract, purchase unit agreement or warrant agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

We will make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any,  on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants, purchase agreements or purchase units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case

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may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of us, the trustees, the warrant agents, the unit agents or any other agent of ours, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.”  We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or any selling securityholder may sell the securities offered by this prospectus to one or more underwriters or dealers for public offering and sale by them or to investors directly or through agents.  The accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

·                  the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

·                  the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us or any selling securityholder from the sale;

·                  any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents;

·                  any public offering price;

·                  any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

·                  any securities exchange or market on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed.

Only those underwriters identified in such prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities offered in the prospectus supplement.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at prices determined as the applicable prospectus supplement specifies.  The securities may be sold through an at the market offering, a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements.  In addition, we or any selling securityholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or any selling securityholder or borrowed from us or any selling securityholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us or any selling securityholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we or any selling securityholder may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from securities purchasers for whom they may act as agent.  Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any underwriting discounts or other compensation that we or any selling securityholder pays to underwriters or agents in connection with the securities offering, and any discounts, concessions or commissions that underwriters allow to dealers.  Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the securities distribution may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts, commissions or concessions they receive and any profit they realize on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.  Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us or any selling securityholder, to

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indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.  Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the securities distribution may engage in other transactions with, and perform other services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Our common stock is currently listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, but any other securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.  To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of any securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

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EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in this registration statement. Our consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933.  This prospectus is part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits.  We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.  You may read and copy the registration statement and any other document we file with the SEC at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies, such as ours, that file documents electronically with the SEC.  The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.  The information on the SEC’s website is not part of this prospectus, and any references to this website or any other website are inactive textual references only.

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus.  Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus.  Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed.  We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus:

·                       our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;

·                       the information contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 13, 2015 and incorporated into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014

·                       our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2016 and January 26, 2016; and

·                       the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed January 5, 1996, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference all additional documents that we file with the SEC under the terms of Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, that are made after the filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, as well as between the date of this prospectus and the termination of any offering of securities offered by this prospectus.  We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules.

You may request a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference but not delivered with this prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and number:  Investor Relations, Incyte Corporation, 1801 Augustine Cut-Off, Wilmington, DE 19803, telephone (302) 498-6700.  We will not, however, send exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents.

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34,033,451 Shares

Incyte Corporation

Common Stock

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT