XML 63 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.4

Fair Value Measurement - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
Contingent liabilities - Crystal |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Payment for contingent consideration liabilities |  | $ 1,800
Contingent liabilities - Icagen |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Payment for contingent consideration liabilities | $ 500 |
Recurring |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 363,567 | 998,324
Liabilities, fair value | 49,193 | 9,017
Recurring | Contingent liabilities - Crystal |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 800 | 2,659
Recurring | Contingent liabilities - CyDex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 508 | 348
Recurring | Contingent liabilities - Metabasis |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 3,821 | 5,935
Recurring | Contingent liabilities - Icagen |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 6,404 |
Recurring | Contingent liabilities - Pfenex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 37,600 |
Recurring | Liability for restricted investments owed to former licensees |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 60 | 75
Recurring | Short-term investments |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 324,478 | 939,989
Recurring | Investment in Viking common stock |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 32,763 | 48,425
Recurring | Investment in warrants |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 6,326 | 9,910
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 42,527 | 61,408
Liabilities, fair value | 60 | 75
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Contingent liabilities - Crystal |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Contingent liabilities - CyDex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Contingent liabilities - Metabasis |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Contingent liabilities - Icagen |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 |
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Contingent liabilities - Pfenex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 |
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Liability for restricted investments owed to former licensees |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 60 | 75
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Short-term investments |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 3,438 | 3,073
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Investment in Viking common stock |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 32,763 | 48,425
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Investment in warrants |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 6,326 | 9,910
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 320,647 | 936,791
Liabilities, fair value | 3,821 | 5,935
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Contingent liabilities - Crystal |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Contingent liabilities - CyDex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Contingent liabilities - Metabasis |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 3,821 | 5,935
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Contingent liabilities - Icagen |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 |
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Contingent liabilities - Pfenex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 |
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Liability for restricted investments owed to former licensees |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term investments |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 320,647 | 936,791
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Investment in Viking common stock |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Investment in warrants |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 393 | 125
Liabilities, fair value | 45,312 | 3,007
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Contingent liabilities - Crystal |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 800 | 2,659
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Contingent liabilities - CyDex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 508 | 348
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Contingent liabilities - Metabasis |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Contingent liabilities - Icagen |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 6,404 |
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Contingent liabilities - Pfenex |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 37,600 |
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Liability for restricted investments owed to former licensees |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Liabilities, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Short-term investments |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 393 | 125
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Investment in Viking common stock |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 0 | 0
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Investment in warrants |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Assets, fair value | 0 | $ 0
Transferred over Time | Phase 3 Clinical Trial |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Gross contract asset | 10,000 |
Maximum | Transferred over Time | Development, Regulatory, & Commercial Milestones and Tiered Royalties |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |
Gross contract asset | $ 375,000 |

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=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, before allowance for credit loss, of right to consideration in exchange for good or service transferred to customer, when right is conditioned on something other than passage of time. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121556615&loc=SL49130531-203044 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121556615&loc=SL49130533-203044 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations. + 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=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of cash outflow, not made soon after acquisition date of business combination, to settle contingent consideration liability exceeding amount recognized at acquisition date. Includes, but is not limited to, measurement period adjustment and less amount paid soon after acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph (ee) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3367-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityOperatingActivities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=lgnd_LiabilityForContingentValueRightsCompanyCrystalMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=lgnd_LiabilityForContingentValueRightsCompanyIcagenMember
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_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=lgnd_LiabilityForContingentValueRightsCompanyCydexMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=lgnd_LiabilityForContingentValueRightsCompanyMetabasisMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=lgnd_LiabilityForContingentValueRightsCompanyPfenexMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=lgnd_LiabilityForRestrictedInvestmentsOwedToFormerLicenseesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_WarrantMember
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_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
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_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_TransferredOverTimeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=lgnd_Phase3ClinicalTrialMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=lgnd_DevelopmentRegulatoryCommercialMilestonesAndTieredRoyaltiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |