Business Combination, Acquired Percentage

No definition available.

Name:	lgnd_BusinessCombinationAcquiredPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Contract Assets

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractAssets
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Discount Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	dtr-types1:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Other Liabilities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contingent Milestone Purchase Agreement

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_ContingentMilestonePurchaseAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Equity Issuance Cost

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lgnd_EquityIssuanceCost
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482665/350-30-50-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 985
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481283/985-20-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of direct costs of the business combination including legal, accounting, and other costs incurred to consummate the business acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479907/805-20-50-5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of goodwill arising from a business combination that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 23
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479405/805-10-25-23

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 30
-Paragraph 8
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479637/805-30-30-8

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 30
-Paragraph 7
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479637/805-30-30-7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of liabilities incurred by the acquirer as part of consideration transferred in a business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 25
-Paragraph 5
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479668/805-30-25-5

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 30
-Paragraph 8
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479637/805-30-30-8

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 30
-Paragraph 7
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479637/805-30-30-7

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)(i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 35
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479613/805-30-35-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 25
-Paragraph 6
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479668/805-30-25-6

+ Details

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

- Definition

Value of input used to measure contingent consideration liability from business combination.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityMeasurementInput
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences assumed at the acquisition date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479907/805-20-50-1

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period (for example, cash that was held by the acquired business).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-13

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow to acquire investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI), classified as investing activity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 19
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-19

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 321
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479567/321-10-45-1

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=lgnd_InvIOsHoldingAGMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=lgnd_APEIRONMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=lgnd_NovanIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis=us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) € in Millions				9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) € in Millions	Jul. 15, 2024 USD ($)	Jul. 15, 2024 EUR (€)	Sep. 27, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Business Acquisition
Cash paid for InvIOs investment				$ 4,196,000	$ 0
InvIOs Holding AG
Business Acquisition
Cash paid for InvIOs investment	$ 4,200,000
Equity issuance cost	200,000
InvIOs Holding AG \| Investor
Business Acquisition
Cash paid for InvIOs investment	8,800,000	€ 8
APEIRON
Business Acquisition
Aggregate acquisition amount	100,500,000
Contingent earn-out payment	28,000,000
Deferred transaction costs	4,900,000
Contract assets (financial royalty assets)	106,156,000			106,156,000
Deferred tax liability	$ 18,109,000
Intangible assets acquired				$ 0
Novan, Inc.
Business Acquisition
Aggregate acquisition amount			$ 12,150,000
Contract assets (financial royalty assets)					0
Cash payments for acquisition			15,000,000
Liabilities incurred			15,000,000
Intangible assets acquired			$ 10,700,000		$ 10,700,000
Acquired (as a percent)			10.30%
Cash acquired from acquisition			$ 2,800,000
Acquisition related costs						$ 3,100,000
Goodwill acquired that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes			$ 0
Discount rate used to value intangible assets acquired (as a percent)			29.00%
Weighted-average estimated useful life of finite-lived intangible assets acquired (in years)			15 years
Other liabilities			$ 13,700,000
Research and development			$ 25,000,000
Novan, Inc. \| Discount Rate \| Valuation Technique, Discounted Cash Flow
Business Acquisition
Contingent liability measurement input (as a percent)			0.14
Novan, Inc. \| Core Technology
Business Acquisition
Intangible assets acquired			$ 12,200,000
Novan, Inc. \| Bridge Loan
Business Acquisition
Liabilities incurred			$ 3,000,000