Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a San Diego–based biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing and acquiring technologies to enable and enhance drug discovery and development. Founded in 1987, Ligand focuses on creating versatile platforms—such as Captisol®, a chemically modified cyclodextrin that improves solubility and stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and OmniAb®, a suite of antibody discovery platforms—to partner with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. Rather than advancing a large internal pipeline to market, Ligand out-licenses its proprietary technologies to third parties, earning milestone payments and royalties from partnered drug candidates that leverage its innovations.
Over the years, Ligand has expanded its portfolio of research tools and bioanalytical services through strategic acquisitions and collaborations. The company’s CyDex® division, for example, builds upon the Captisol technology to offer formulation development services aimed at overcoming drug delivery challenges. Additionally, its recently acquired OmniAb platform draws on diverse antibody generation methods to accelerate the discovery of therapeutic antibodies for oncology, immunology and rare diseases. These platforms are integrated into collaborative partnerships with leading global firms, including several of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies, to advance new treatments from preclinical stages through regulatory approval.
Ligand’s business model leverages a geographically diversified network of partners and collaborators spanning North America, Europe and Asia. The company operates research and development facilities in San Diego, where its scientific teams focus on platform innovation and client support. Ligand’s alliances extend across multiple continents, facilitating global development programs and license agreements that broaden the reach of its technologies. By sharing risk and cost with its partners, Ligand aims to generate a steady stream of non-dilutive revenue while fostering innovation in drug discovery worldwide.
Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer John L. Higgins, Ligand maintains an experienced management team with deep expertise in pharmaceutical research, regulatory affairs and corporate development. The company’s board and senior executives bring decades of experience in drug development, strategic partnerships and capital markets. This leadership team guides Ligand’s ongoing efforts to expand its technology platforms and deepen collaborations, positioning the company as a key enabler for next-generation therapies in areas of high unmet medical need.
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