POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, as a Section 16 reporting person of Akesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(the "Company"), hereby constitutes and appoints Edward B. Wilson, the undersigned's
true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:

1.        complete and execute Forms 4 and 5 and other forms and all amendments
thereto as such attorney-in-fact shall in his or her discretion determine to
be required or advisable pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (as amended) and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, or any successor laws and regulations, as a consequence of the
undersigned's ownership, acquisition or disposition of securities of the
Company; and

2.        do all acts necessary in order to file such forms with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or national association,
the Company and such other person or agency as the attorney-in-fact shall
deem appropriate.

The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. The undersigned acknowledges that
the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the
undersigned, is not assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the undersigned's
responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as
amended).
This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned
is no longer required to file Forms 4 and 5 with respect to the undersigned's holdings of
and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the
undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the Company and the foregoing attorney-in-
fact.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to
be executed as of this 25th day of January, 2005.

Signature: /s/ John T. Hendrick

Print Name: John T. Hendrick

Hendrick John T 4