<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-23-085535.txt : 20230330
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-23-085535.hdr.sgml : 20230330
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20230330160857
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-23-085535
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	SC 13D/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20230330
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20230330

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001607678
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				461073877
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		SC 13D/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	005-88828
		FILM NUMBER:		23780756

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9920 PACIFIC HEIGHTS BLVD, SUITE 350
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121
		BUSINESS PHONE:		858-704-4660

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9920 PACIFIC HEIGHTS BLVD, SUITE 350
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121

FILED BY:		

	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:		SC 13D/A

	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>SC 13D/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d484475dsc13da.htm
<DESCRIPTION>SC 13D/A
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>SC 13D/A</TITLE>
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 13D
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Amendment No.&nbsp;6)* </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:22pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Viking
Therapeutics, Inc. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Issuer) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Title of Class&nbsp;of Securities) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>92686J106 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(CUSIP Number)
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>3911 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, Suite 110 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>San Diego, CA 92121 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(858) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">550-7500</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Copy to: </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Matthew T. Bush, Esq. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins LLP </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>12670 High Bluff Drive </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>San Diego, CA 92130 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Telephone: (858) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">523-5400</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>March&nbsp;28, 2023 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If the filing
person has previously filed a statement on Schedule&nbsp;13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule&nbsp;13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">13d-1(e),</FONT> Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">13d-1(f)</FONT> or Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">13d-1(g),</FONT> check the following box.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I></I><B><I>Note</I></B><I></I>:
Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">13d-7(b)</FONT> for other parties to whom copies are to be sent. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person&#146;s initial filing on this form
with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be &#147;filed&#148; for the purpose of Section&nbsp;18 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#147;Act&#148;) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section&nbsp;of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top">CUSIP No. 92686J106</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>13D</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Page 1 of 3 pages</TD></TR></TABLE> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;1&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000; BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt">
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Names of Reporting Persons</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;2</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Check the Appropriate Box
if a Member of a Group</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;3</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;SEC Use Only</P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:1pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;4</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Source of Funds (See
Instructions)</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>WC and </B><B>OO</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;5</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Check if disclosure of
legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;6</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Citizenship or Place of
Organization</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Delaware</B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="5%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%"></TD></TR>

<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="middle" COLSPAN="3" ROWSPAN="4" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>NUMBER&nbsp;OF</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SHARES</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>&nbsp;BENEFICIALLY&nbsp;</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>OWNED&nbsp;BY</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EACH</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REPORTING</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PERSON</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WITH</B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:1pt" align="left">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;7&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Voting Power</P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>0</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;8</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Voting Power</P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>3,616,077</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;9</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Dispositive Power</P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>0</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><B>10</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Dispositive Power</P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>3,616,077</B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="4%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"></TD></TR>

<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>11&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></TD>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>3,616,077</B></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>12</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Check if the Aggregate
Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>13</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Percent of Class
Represented by Amount in Row (11)</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>4.6</B><B>%</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8pt"><B>14</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:2pt"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;Type of Reporting
Person</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>CO</B></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">CUSIP No. 92686J106</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>13D</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Page 2 of 3 pages</TD></TR></TABLE> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Explanatory Note </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Amendment No.&nbsp;6 to Schedule 13D (&#147;Amendment No.&nbsp;6&#148;) amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) on May&nbsp;8, 2015 and as previously amended (the &#147;Schedule 13D&#148;) by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (&#147;Ligand&#148; or the &#147;Reporting Person&#148;). Capitalized terms used but
not defined herein shall have the meaning given in the Schedule 13D. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;4.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Purpose of Transaction. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Item 4 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented as follows: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Between March&nbsp;28, 2023 and March&nbsp;29, 2023, Ligand disposed of 2,449,003 shares of Common Stock, in a series of transactions at prices
ranging from $13.50 to $16.30 per share in open market transactions on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The weighted average sales prices on March&nbsp;28, 2023 and March&nbsp;29, 2023 were $14.4785 and $16.0702, respectively. The Reporting Person
undertakes to provide, upon request by the staff of the SEC, the Issuer, or a security holder of the Issuer, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price for these transactions. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As a result of the foregoing transactions, the previously disclosed Management Rights Letter and the Voting Agreement each terminated pursuant
to their terms and the Reporting Person no longer has the right to designate an individual to serve as a director of the Issuer. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Interest in Securities of the Issuer. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Item 5 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) &#150; (b) </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ligand beneficially owns, in the
aggregate, 3,616,077 shares of Common Stock, constituting approximately 4.6% of the Common Stock outstanding, consisting of (i) 2,733,603 shares of Common Stock held directly by Ligand and (ii) 882,474 shares of Common Stock held directly by
Metabasis. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The aggregate percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by Ligand is based on 78,418,529 shares of Common Stock of the
Issuer outstanding on January&nbsp;31, 2023. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) Except for the transactions disclosed in Item 4 of this Amendment No.&nbsp;6, neither the Reporting
Person nor any Related Person has effected any transactions in the Common Stock of since the prior amendment to this Schedule 13D. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(d) None. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(e) As of March&nbsp;29, 2023, the Reporting Person ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Issuer&#146;s outstanding Common Stock.
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<TD VALIGN="top">CUSIP No. 92686J106</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>13D</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">Page 3 of 3 pages</TD></TR></TABLE> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Date</B>: March&nbsp;30, 2023 </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><B>Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">By:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Andrew T. Reardon</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Name:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Andrew T. Reardon</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Title:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chief Legal Officer and Secretary</P></TD></TR>
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