<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000886163-18-000174.txt : 20181218
<SEC-HEADER>0000886163-18-000174.hdr.sgml : 20181218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20181217200143
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000886163-18-000174
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20181217
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20181218
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20181217

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000886163
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				770160744
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33093
		FILM NUMBER:		181239229

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3911 SORRENTO VALLEY BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 110
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121
		BUSINESS PHONE:		858-550-7500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3911 SORRENTO VALLEY BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 110
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>lgnd_8-kx12182018.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K_12.18.18
<TEXT>
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<div><a name="s8A4CEB1F56DE5DF890C641EFD0383EE1"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10.5pt;font-weight:bold;">______________</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:16pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 8</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:16pt;">&#8209;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">K</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10.5pt;font-weight:bold;">______________</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;padding-top:8px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 17, 2018</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;padding-bottom:9px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:16pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;<br></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:86.53846153846155%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:34%;"></td><td style="width:33%;"></td><td style="width:33%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">001-33093</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">77-0160744</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(State or other jurisdiction of</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Commission File Number)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(I.R.S. Employer</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">incorporation or organization)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Identification No.)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:9px;padding-top:4px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:49%;"></td><td style="width:2%;"></td><td style="width:49%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">3911 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, Suite 110</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">92121</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">San Diego, CA</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(Zip Code)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:1px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:4px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:144%;padding-top:20px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(858)&#160;550-7500</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Registrant&#8217;s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;padding-bottom:4px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">N/A</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></div><div style="line-height:173%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:33px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:144%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Written communications pursuant to Rule&#160;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:33px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:144%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&#160;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:33px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:144%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&#160;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:33px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:144%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&#160;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div></td></tr></table><div><br></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Emerging growth company</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#32;&#32;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#32;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;padding-left:33px;text-indent:-34px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">On December 17, 2018, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (&#8220;Ligand&#8221;) entered into a development funding and royalties agreement (the &#8220;Royalty Agreement&#8221;) with Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. (&#8220;Palvella&#8221;), pursuant to which Ligand will receive certain payments at specified milestones, as well as royalties on any future net sales of PTX-022, a product candidate being developed to treat pachyonychia congenita (&#8220;PC&#8221;).  Ligand paid Palvella an upfront payment of $10.0 million, which Palvella is required to use to fund the development of PTX-022.  Ligand will not incur any expenses to develop or commercialize PTX-022. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">PC is a serious, chronically debilitating genetic disorder that results in malformation of the skin and severely limits the mobility and quality-of-life of those affected.  Palvella&#8217;s PTX-022 program has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for treatment of PC from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (&#8220;FDA&#8221;). PC affects up to 10,000 people in the U.S. and no FDA-approved therapies exist to treat the disorder.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to the Royalty Agreement, Ligand will receive up to $8.0 million of milestone payments upon the achievement by Palvella of certain regulatory milestones for PTX-002 and corporate and financing milestones.  In addition to the milestone payments, Palvella will pay Ligand tiered royalties from 5.0% to 9.8% based on aggregate annual worldwide net sales of any PTX-022 products, if approved, subject to Palvella&#8217;s right to reduce the royalty rates by making payments in certain circumstances.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Unless earlier terminated, the Royalty Agreement will continue for as long as payments are due or payable under the Royalty Agreement.  Ligand may terminate the Royalty Agreement for any or no reason upon 90 days prior written notice to Palvella.  In addition, Ligand may terminate the Royalty Agreement in the event of an uncured material breach by Palvella.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The foregoing description of certain terms contained in the Royalty Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the Royalty Agreement to be filed with the Company&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2018 and are incorporated herein by reference.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">d) </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Exhibits</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.</font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To be filed with Ligand&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2018.</font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:14%;"></td><td style="width:86%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Exhibit No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">10.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Development Funding and Royalties Agreement, dated December 17, 2018, by and between Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. </font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Forward-Looking Statements </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">This report contains forward-looking statements by Ligand that involve risks and uncertainties and reflect Ligand's judgment as of the date of this report. These forward-looking statements include comments regarding Palvella&#8217;s planned clinical development program for PTX-022; the potential for future regulatory and financing milestones as well as royalties from net sales of PTX-022, if approved; the possibility that PTX-022 will show clinical benefit to treat patients with PC; and the size of the PC patient population. Actual events or results may differ from Ligand's expectations. For example, the</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#32;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">development of PTX-022 is entirely dependent on Palvella&#8217;s success and Ligand will have no ability to direct the development program; Palvella may abandon the development </font></div><div><br></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">of PTX-022 under certain circumstances; there can be no assurance that Palvella will be able to successfully develop PTX-022, including initiation of a Phase 2/3 clinical trial that supports filing a new drug application (&#8220;NDA&#8221;) to the FDA; the FDA could require additional clinical trials than the planned clinical trials and the Phase 2/3 clinical trial may not be able to serve as a sufficient basis for an NDA filing with the FDA; Palvella&#8217;s planned Phase 2/3 clinical trial could fail to reach its primary endpoints or show sufficient safety or efficacy to continue development or submit an NDA to the FDA; the FDA could rescind Fast Track or Orphan Drug designations previously granted to PTX-022; and even if approved, Palvella may not successfully launch PTX-022. Many of these risks also apply to the other programs which comprise Ligand&#8217;s shots-on-goal portfolio. The failure to meet expectations with respect to any of the foregoing matters may reduce Ligand's stock price. Additional information concerning these and other important risk factors affecting Ligand (including Ligand&#8217;s current reliance on revenues based on sales of Promacta</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">&#174;</sup></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;and Kyprolis</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">&#174;</sup></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, and various risks to which Ligand&#8217;s Captisol</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">&#174;</sup></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;cyclodextrin operations are subject) can be found in Ligand's prior periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including its Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2018), available at www.sec.gov, as updated by future period reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ligand disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements beyond the date of this report. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:26px;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:25px;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:95.94017094017094%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:47%;"></td><td style="width:53%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:4px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Date: December 18, 2018</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:50px;text-indent:-47px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">By:   </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">/s/ Charles Berkman</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:50px;text-indent:-47px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Name:    Charles Berkman</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:50px;text-indent:-47px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Title:    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary </font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:173%;padding-top:12px;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div>	</body>
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