XML 26 R16.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.5.0.2

Subsequent Event	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent event	Subsequent Event On July 28, 2016 the Company acquired less than 20% ownership interest in Nucorion, Inc., an early stage company leveraging Ligand's Liver Targeting Prodrug technology focused on developing anti-cancer and anti-viral agents initially directed to China, for $1.0 million in cash.

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The entire disclosure for significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued or the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, catastrophic loss, significant foreign exchange rate changes, loans to insiders or affiliates, and transactions not in the ordinary course of business.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration