<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!-- DFIN ActiveDisclosure(SM) XBRL Schema Document - http://www.dfinsolutions.com/ -->
<!-- Creation Date      : 2022-08-10T19:54:51.2296791+00:00 -->
<!-- Version            : 5.0.1.747 -->
<!-- Package ID         : f0078bce755f49ec98e11d905c4d9006 -->
<!-- Copyright (c) 2022 Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -->
<xsd:schema xmlns:mnov="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630" xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022" xmlns:us-types="http://fasb.org/us-types/2022" xmlns:stpr="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022" xmlns:srt-types="http://fasb.org/srt-types/2022" xmlns:sic="http://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2022" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:dtr-types="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" xmlns:srt="http://fasb.org/srt/2022" xmlns:enum2="http://xbrl.org/2020/extensible-enumerations-2.0" xmlns:us-gaap="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022" xmlns:naics="http://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2022" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:country="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2022" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:currency="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2022" xmlns:exch="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2022" attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" targetNamespace="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/2020/extensible-enumerations-2.0.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.org/2020/extensible-enumerations-2.0" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2022/country-2022.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2022/currency-2022.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21/types.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2022/exch-2022.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/arcrole/factExplanatory-2009-12-16.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/arcrole/fact-explanatoryFact" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negated" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/net-2009-12-16.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/net" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2022/naics-2022.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2022/sic-2022.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd" namespace="http://fasb.org/srt/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-roles-2022.xsd" namespace="http://fasb.org/srt-roles/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-types-2022.xsd" namespace="http://fasb.org/srt-types/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022/stpr-2022.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd" namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-roles-2022.xsd" namespace="http://fasb.org/us-roles/2022" />
  <xsd:import schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-types-2022.xsd" namespace="http://fasb.org/us-types/2022" />
  <xsd:annotation>
    <xsd:appinfo>
      <link:roleType id="TemplateLink" roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/role/TemplateLink" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
        <link:definition>00000 - Document - Template Link</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="mnov-20220630_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:title="Calculation Links, all" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="mnov-20220630_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:title="Definition Links, all" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="mnov-20220630_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:title="Label Links, all" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="mnov-20220630_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:title="Presentation Links, all" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation" id="Role_DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation">
        <link:definition>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" id="Role_StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets">
        <link:definition>100010 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" id="Role_StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical">
        <link:definition>100020 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss" id="Role_StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss">
        <link:definition>100030 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity" id="Role_StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>100040 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders&apos; Equity</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" id="Role_StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows">
        <link:definition>100050 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInterimFinancialInformation" id="Role_DisclosureInterimFinancialInformation">
        <link:definition>100060 - Disclosure - Interim Financial Information</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognition" id="Role_DisclosureRevenueRecognition">
        <link:definition>100070 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements" id="Role_DisclosureFairValueMeasurements">
        <link:definition>100080 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies" id="Role_DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies">
        <link:definition>100090 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation" id="Role_DisclosureStockBasedCompensation">
        <link:definition>100100 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity" id="Role_DisclosureStockholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>100110 - Disclosure - Stockholders&apos; Equity</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShare" id="Role_DisclosureNetLossPerShare">
        <link:definition>100120 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInterimFinancialInformationPolicies" id="Role_DisclosureInterimFinancialInformationPolicies">
        <link:definition>100130 - Disclosure - Interim Financial Information (Policies)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables" id="Role_DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables">
        <link:definition>100140 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables" id="Role_DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables">
        <link:definition>100150 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInterimFinancialInformationAdditionalInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureInterimFinancialInformationAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100160 - Disclosure - Interim Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureRevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100170 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100180 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100190 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfRightOfUseAssetsAndRelatedLeaseLiabilitiesDetail" id="Role_DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfRightOfUseAssetsAndRelatedLeaseLiabilitiesDetail">
        <link:definition>100200 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Right-of-Use Assets and Related Lease Liabilities (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetail" id="Role_DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetail">
        <link:definition>100210 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetail2" id="Role_DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetail2">
        <link:definition>100220 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Detail)2</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100230 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfStockOptionActivityAndRelatedInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureSummaryOfStockOptionActivityAndRelatedInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100240 - Disclosure - Summary of Stock Option Activity and Related Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationExpensesDetail" id="Role_DisclosureSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationExpensesDetail">
        <link:definition>100250 - Disclosure - Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expenses (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedInEstimatingFairValueOfOptionsGrantedAndPerformanceBasedStockOptionsDetail" id="Role_DisclosureScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedInEstimatingFairValueOfOptionsGrantedAndPerformanceBasedStockOptionsDetail">
        <link:definition>100260 - Disclosure - Schedule of Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value of Options Granted and Performance-Based Stock Options (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100270 - Disclosure - Stockholders&apos; Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.medicinova.com/20220630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareAdditionalInformationDetail" id="Role_DisclosureNetLossPerShareAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>100280 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </xsd:appinfo>
  </xsd:annotation>
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ResearchDevelopmentAndPatentsExpense" name="ResearchDevelopmentAndPatentsExpense" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_InProcessResearchAndDevelopment" name="InProcessResearchAndDevelopment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_AccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesCurrent" name="AccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherLiabilitiesCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ChangeInCarryingAmountOfRightOfUseAsset" name="ChangeInCarryingAmountOfRightOfUseAsset" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities" name="IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockExerciseOfCommonStockOptions" name="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockExerciseOfCommonStockOptions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ResearchDevelopmentAndPatentsExpensePolicyTextBlock" name="ResearchDevelopmentAndPatentsExpensePolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ClinicalTrialAccrualsAndPrepaidExpensesPolicyPolicyTextBlock" name="ClinicalTrialAccrualsAndPrepaidExpensesPolicyPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ImpactOfCOVIDNineteenPolicyPolicyTextBlock" name="ImpactOfCOVIDNineteenPolicyPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ScheduleOfInformationRelatedToRightOfUseAssetsAndRelatedLeaseLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" name="ScheduleOfInformationRelatedToRightOfUseAssetsAndRelatedLeaseLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_PatentsExpense" name="PatentsExpense" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_PerformanceObligationsPaymentRefunded" name="PerformanceObligationsPaymentRefunded" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_KisseiPharmaceuticalCoLtdMember" name="KisseiPharmaceuticalCoLtdMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_GenzymeCorporationMember" name="GenzymeCorporationMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_LesseeOperatingLeaseExtendedTermOfContract" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseExtendedTermOfContract" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_OperatingLeaseExpirationMonthAndYear" name="OperatingLeaseExpirationMonthAndYear" type="xbrli:gYearMonthItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ProductDevelopmentMember" name="ProductDevelopmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_DevelopmentMilestoneMember" name="DevelopmentMilestoneMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_CommercializationMilestoneMember" name="CommercializationMilestoneMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_PotentialFutureMilestonePayments" name="PotentialFutureMilestonePayments" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_TwoThousandThirteenEquityIncentivePlanMember" name="TwoThousandThirteenEquityIncentivePlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_TwoThousandFourPlanMember" name="TwoThousandFourPlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_StockIssuanceLimitUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDescription" name="StockIssuanceLimitUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDescription" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_AnnualIncreaseInSharesReservedForIssuance" name="AnnualIncreaseInSharesReservedForIssuance" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_AnnualIncreaseInSharesReservedForIssuanceAsPercentageOfOutstandingSharesOfCommonStock" name="AnnualIncreaseInSharesReservedForIssuanceAsPercentageOfOutstandingSharesOfCommonStock" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOfferingPeriod" name="EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOfferingPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesIssued" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesIssued" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_ResearchAndDevelopmentAndPatentsExpenseMember" name="ResearchAndDevelopmentAndPatentsExpenseMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_PercentageOfCommissionOnGrossProceedsFromSaleOfCommonStockMaximum" name="PercentageOfCommissionOnGrossProceedsFromSaleOfCommonStockMaximum" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_BRileyFBRIncMember" name="BRileyFBRIncMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="mnov_TwoThousandNineteenAtMarketIssuanceSalesAgreementMember" name="TwoThousandNineteenAtMarketIssuanceSalesAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
</xsd:schema>
