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Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
segment
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jan. 31, 2012
Jan. 31, 2010
right
Apr. 30, 2013
program
Jan. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2009
right
Aug. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]                                    
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 6,730,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 777,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 1,288,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 2,097,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 1,869,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 1,965,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 3,694,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 1,304,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations   $ 12,024,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 8,832,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ (2,674,000)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations            
Accumulated deficit (659,315,000)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit       (671,339,000)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit         (659,315,000)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit (671,339,000)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit              
Working capital 162,400,000lgnd_WorkingCapital                 162,400,000lgnd_WorkingCapital                
Common shares excluded from computation                   5,100,000us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount 800,000us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount 1,100,000us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount            
Maturity period of cash and cash equivalents, maximum                   3 months                
FDIC insured amount 250,000us-gaap_CashFDICInsuredAmount                 250,000us-gaap_CashFDICInsuredAmount                
Cash deposits 91,700,000lgnd_CashDepositsInExcessOfFdicInsuredAmount                 91,700,000lgnd_CashDepositsInExcessOfFdicInsuredAmount                
Reserve for obsolete inventory 0us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves       0us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves         0us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves 0us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves              
Accounts receivable outstanding considered past due after period, minimum                   30 days                
Accounts receivable outstanding considered past due after period, maximum                   90 days                
Allowance for doubtful accounts 0us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent       0us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent         0us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent 0us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent              
Depreciation expense                   300,000us-gaap_Depreciation 300,000us-gaap_Depreciation 300,000us-gaap_Depreciation            
Definite lived intangibles, useful life                   20 years                
Amortization expense                   2,400,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 2,400,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 2,400,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets            
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Amortization expense next year 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths                 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths                
Amortization expense year two 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo                 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo                
Amortization expense year three 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree                 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree                
Amortization expense year four 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour                 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour                
Amortization expense year five 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive                 2,400,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive                
Goodwill 12,238,000us-gaap_Goodwill       12,238,000us-gaap_Goodwill         12,238,000us-gaap_Goodwill 12,238,000us-gaap_Goodwill              
(Gain) loss on asset disposal                   (16,000)us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges 5,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges (17,000)us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges            
Number of commercial license agreement programs                             15lgnd_LicenseAgreementNumberOfCommericalLicenseAgreementPrograms      
Paid to CyDex shareholders                   1,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired 3,571,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired 0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired            
Retirement of treasury shares (in shares)                     1,118,222us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired              
Period allowed for return of products, minimum                 30 days                  
Period allowed for return of products, maximum                 90 days                  
Restocking fee (percent)                   20.00%lgnd_SalesReturnsRestockingFeePercent                
Deferred revenue 0us-gaap_DeferredRevenue       100,000us-gaap_DeferredRevenue         0us-gaap_DeferredRevenue 100,000us-gaap_DeferredRevenue              
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]                                    
Number of reportable segments                   2us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments                
Total assets 258,029,000us-gaap_Assets       104,713,000us-gaap_Assets         258,029,000us-gaap_Assets 104,713,000us-gaap_Assets              
Total liabilities 233,621,000us-gaap_Liabilities       55,100,000us-gaap_Liabilities         233,621,000us-gaap_Liabilities 55,100,000us-gaap_Liabilities              
Stock Options | 2002 Stock Incentive Plan                                    
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]                                    
Award expiration period                   10 years                
Stock Options | Vest 1/8 on the six month anniversary of the date of grant | 2002 Stock Incentive Plan                                    
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]                                    
Award vesting period                   6 months                
Award vesting right percentage                   12.50%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= lgnd_TwoThousandTwoStockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= lgnd_VestingPeriodOneMember		                
Stock Options | Vest 1/48 each month for forty-two months | 2002 Stock Incentive Plan                                    
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]                                    
Award vesting period                   42 months                
Award vesting right percentage                   2.08%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= lgnd_TwoThousandTwoStockIncentivePlanMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= lgnd_VestingPeriodTwoMember		                
Director | 2002 Stock Incentive Plan                                    
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]                                    
Award vesting period                   1 year                
Minimum                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Sales/revenues from partners reporting period                   30 days                
Maximum                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Sales/revenues from partners reporting period                   60 days                
Equipment | Minimum                                    
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]                                    
Property and equipment, useful life                   3 years                
Equipment | Maximum                                    
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]                                    
Property and equipment, useful life                   10 years                
CyDex                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Intangible assets with definite lives                               47,500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		    
Business combination, weighted-average amortization period intangible assets                   20 years                
In-process research and development                               3,200,000lgnd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInProcessResearchAndDevelopment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		    
Goodwill                               11,500,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		    
(Gain) loss on asset disposal                   0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		 500,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		              
Contingent value rights fair value                               17,600,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		    
Discounted to present value using a discount rate                               21.60%lgnd_ContingentLiabilityAccrualDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		    
Fair value of contingent liability 11,500,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		       9,300,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		         11,500,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		 9,300,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		              
Contingent liability change in amount                   (5,700,000)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		 600,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		 (3,400,000)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		            
Contingent liability, cash payment                   3,500,000lgnd_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCashPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		 1,000,000lgnd_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCashPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		 8,000,000lgnd_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCashPayment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember		            
CyDex | Guaranteed Payment                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Paid to CyDex shareholders                         4,300,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_CydexPharmaceuticalsIncMember
/ us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis
= lgnd_GuaranteedPaymentMember		          
Metabasis Therapeutics                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Fair value of contingent liability 3,700,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		       4,200,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		         3,700,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		 4,200,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		     9,100,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		        
Contingent liability change in amount                   500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		 (4,200,000)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		 1,100,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		            
Number of contingent value rights                           4lgnd_NumberOfContingentValueRightsIssued
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		        
Number of contingent value rights per series of contingent value rights                           1lgnd_NumberOfContingentValueRightsPerSeriesOfContingentValueRights
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		        
Number of series of contingent value rights issued per share                           4lgnd_NumberOfRespectiveSeriesOfContingentValueRightsIssuedForEachShare
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_MetabasisTherapeuticsMember		        
Entitlement to cash payments (duration)                           6 months        
Royalty Stream and Milestone Payments Purchase Agreement with Selexis                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Purchase price                             4,600,000lgnd_LicenseAgreementPurchasePriceNetofAcquisitionCosts
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_RoyaltyStreamAndMilestonePaymentsPurchaseAgreementWithSelexisMember		      
Neurogen Corporation                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Fair value of contingent liability                                 3,200,000lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAtEndOfPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_NeurogenCorporationMember		  
Contingent liability change in amount                       500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_NeurogenCorporationMember		            
Number of contingent value rights                                 4lgnd_NumberOfContingentValueRightsIssued
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_NeurogenCorporationMember		  
Neurogen Corporation | VR1                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Contingent liability change in amount                       200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lgnd_NeurogenCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis
= lgnd_ContingentValueRightsVr1Member		            
Omthera Pharmaceuticals                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Revenue recognition, milestone method                   1,000,000us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionMilestoneMethodRevenueRecognized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= lgnd_OmtheraPharmaceuticalsMember		                
Proceeds from collaborators                   500,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollaborators
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= lgnd_OmtheraPharmaceuticalsMember		                
Omthera Pharmaceuticals | Collaborative Arrangement, Product                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Revenue recognition, milestone method                   400,000us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionMilestoneMethodRevenueRecognized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= lgnd_OmtheraPharmaceuticalsMember
/ us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis
= us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementProductAgreementMember		                
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary                                    
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]                                    
Total assets 3,043,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		                 3,043,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		                
Total liabilities 4,953,000us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		                 4,953,000us-gaap_Liabilities
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		                
2019 Convertible Senior Notes                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Principal amount outstanding 245,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember		       0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember		         245,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember		 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember		              
2019 Convertible Senior Notes | Senior Notes                                    
Estimated amortization expense [Abstract]                                    
Principal amount outstanding 245,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		                 245,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		               245,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Interest on debt instrument (percent)                                   0.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lgnd_A2019ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Inventories                                    
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]                                    
Purchase commitment $ 15,400,000us-gaap_SignificantSupplyCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted
/ us-gaap_SupplyCommitmentAxis
= us-gaap_InventoriesMember		                 $ 15,400,000us-gaap_SignificantSupplyCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted
/ us-gaap_SupplyCommitmentAxis
= us-gaap_InventoriesMember		                
Major Customer 1 | Customer Concentration Risk | Accounts Receivable                                    
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]                                    
Concentration risk, number of customers                   2lgnd_ConcentrationRiskNumberOfCustomers
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= lgnd_MajorCustomer1Member		 2lgnd_ConcentrationRiskNumberOfCustomers
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= lgnd_MajorCustomer1Member		              
Concentration risk, percentage of accounts receivable                   64.00%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= lgnd_MajorCustomer1Member		 75.00%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= lgnd_MajorCustomer1Member