XML 79 R18.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity method investments				$ 0	$ 24
Total revenue		$ 90,043	$ 27,995	146,200	57,264
Decrease in accumulated deficit		(254,240)		(254,240)			$ (400,924)
Operating income (loss)		70,175	13,015	107,216	23,233
Milestone payment received				4,600
Third-party in-licensor portion of milestone payment received				3,000
Revenue recognized from milestone method revenue				1,600
Gain (loss) from Viking		39,963	(1,400)	61,808	(2,406)
Assets, fair value		877,560		877,560			188,764
Investment in Warrants
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		12,296		12,296			3,846
Note Receivable - Viking Therapeutics
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		0		0			3,877
Level 1
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		73,689		73,689			5,742
Level 1 | Investment in Warrants
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		12,296		12,296			3,846
Level 1 | Note Receivable - Viking Therapeutics
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		0		0			0
Level 3
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		0		0			3,877
Level 3 | Investment in Warrants
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		0		0			0
Level 3 | Note Receivable - Viking Therapeutics
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		0		0			3,877
Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity method investments		32,300		53,500
Equity method investment, ownership (percent)						12.40%
Market value of investment in Viking		$ 59,800		$ 59,800
Outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Viking's common stock (shares)		1.5		1.5
Warrant exercise price (USD per share)		$ 1.50		$ 1.50
Recurring | Level 1 | Investment in Warrants
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets, fair value		$ 12,300		$ 12,300			$ 3,800
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		(10,400)		$ (1,500)
Decrease in accumulated deficit	$ 25,400
Operating income (loss)	(11,900)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity method investments	2,600
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity method investments	$ 2,600
Royalty Agreements | Aziyo
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Effective interest rate for forecasted cash flows (as a percent)				26.00%
Royalty [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		31,396	14,211	$ 52,216	38,441
Royalty [Member] | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		21,100	14,200		38,400
Promacta
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		24,800		40,400
Promacta | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		15,600	9,700		26,400
Kyprolis
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		4,700		8,100
Kyprolis | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		3,400	2,900		7,500
Evomela
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		1,200		2,800
Evomela | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		1,600	1,300		3,100
Other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		700		$ 900
Other | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total revenue		$ 500	$ 300		$ 1,400

X

- Definition

Forecasted Cash Flows, Effective Interest Rate, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_ForecastedCashFlowsEffectiveInterestRatePercent
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Milestone Payment Received

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_RevenueRecognitionMilestoneMethodMilestonePaymentReceived
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Third-Party Portion of Milestone Payment Received

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_RevenueRecognitionMilestoneMethodThirdPartyPortionofMilestonePaymentReceived
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377789&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, 500,000 warrants may be converted into 1,000,000 shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized that was previously included in balance of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration from customer has been received or is due.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130549-203045

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This item represents the aggregate value of each identified investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting based on the quoted market price for those investments in common stock for which a quoted market price is available.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentQuotedMarketValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27405-111563

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's undistributed earnings or deficit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(30)(a)(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(23)(a)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount, including tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value-added and excise.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130539-203045

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130545-203045

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130543-203045

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of investments, not including unrealized gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, held at each balance sheet date and included in earnings for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_WarrantMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis=us-gaap_DifferenceBetweenRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeAndAfterTopic606Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201601Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_RoyaltyAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=lgnd_AziyoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_RoyaltyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis=us-gaap_CalculatedUnderRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeTopic606Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=lgnd_RoyaltyPromactaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=lgnd_RoyaltyKyprolisMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=lgnd_RoyaltyEvomelaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=lgnd_RoyaltyProductOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: