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                           February 5, 2021

       Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D.
       President and Chief Executive Officer
       MediciNova, Inc.
       4275 Executive Square, Suite 300
       La Jolla, CA 92037

                                                        Re: MediciNova, Inc.
                                                            Registration
Statement on Form S-3
                                                            Filed January 29,
2021
                                                            File No. 333-252592

       Dear Dr. Iwaki:

              This is to advise you that we have not reviewed and will not
review your registration
       statement.

               Please refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for
acceleration. We remind you
       that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy of their
       disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of
action by the staff.

                                                        Please contact Jeffrey
Gabor at 202-551-2544 with any questions.




                           Sincerely,


                           Division of Corporation Finance

                           Office of Life Sciences
       cc:                                              Jordan F. Murray, Esq.