EXHIBIT 5.1

                                  May 18, 1999



Anika Therapeutics, Inc.
236 West Cummings Park
Woburn, MA 01801

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This opinion is delivered in our capacity as counsel to Anika 
Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the preparation and 
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act 
of 1933, as amended, of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the 
"Registration Statement") relating to the issuance of 200,000 shares of 
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Shares"), 
issuable under the Company's Employee Savings and Retirement Plan (the "Plan").

     As counsel for the Company, we have examined the Company's Amended and 
Restated Articles of Organization and By-laws, each as presently in effect, 
and such records, certificates and other documents of the Company as we have 
deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. We have 
also relied upon representations from the Company as to certain factual 
matters relevant to this opinion.

     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares are duly 
authorized by the Company, and such Shares when issued and paid for in 
accordance with the terms of the Plan will be legally issued, fully paid and 
non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to being named as counsel to the Company in the 
Registration Statement and to the inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to 
the Registration Statement.

                                                 Very truly yours,



                                                 /S/ GOODWIN, PROCTER & HOAR LLP