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Basis of Presentation (Investment Categories) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
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Summary of investment categories |  |
Cost | $ 2,725 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis | $ 3,440 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
Gross unrealized gains | 9,334 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax | 4,954 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
Gross unrealized losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Estimated fair value | 12,059 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities | 8,394 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Short-term investments |  |
Summary of investment categories |  |
Cost | 2,125 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember | 2,179 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
Gross unrealized gains | 9,334 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember | 4,954 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
Gross unrealized losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
Estimated fair value | 11,459 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember | 7,133 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
Certificates of deposit-restricted |  |
Summary of investment categories |  |
Cost | 600 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember | 1,261 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember
Gross unrealized gains | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember
Gross unrealized losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember
Estimated fair value | $ 600 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember | $ 1,261 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = lgnd_CertificatesOfDepositRestrictedMember

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- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
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- Definition This item represents the cost of debt securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
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- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
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