Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. reports developments in its biopharmaceutical royalty aggregation and technology-licensing business. The company partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, funds late-stage clinical development programs in exchange for long-term economic interests, and manages royalty interests across development- and commercial-stage therapeutic assets.
Recurring LGND news includes operating and financial results, royalty revenue drivers, material agreements, capital-structure updates, and partner clinical or regulatory events tied to products in the portfolio. Company updates also cover proprietary technologies such as Captisol® and NITRICIL™, business-development activity, and portfolio assets such as FILSPARI® where Ligand has an economic interest.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: LGND) reported third-quarter royalty revenue of $70.3 million, up 51% year over year, and raised adjusted earnings guidance. Total revenues and income fell 32% to $78.7 million; excluding prior-year Pelthos income, they rose 26%. GAAP net loss was $28.5 million versus net income of $117.3 million. Adjusted diluted earnings fell to $2.67 from $3.09.
Ligand now expects 2026 adjusted diluted earnings of approximately $9.50–$9.75, up from approximately $9.00–$9.50, while maintaining revenue guidance of $270–$310 million. Cash and short-term investments totaled $447.4 million. Ligand completed the XOMA acquisition, acquired Ryjunea payment rights for $23 million upfront and entered an AvenCell financing agreement for up to $47 million. Portfolio partner Palvella received FDA Priority Review for Qtorin rapamycin, with a February 28, 2027 target action date.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: LGND) announced that its senior management team will participate in three investor conferences in November 2026.
Management will hold investor meetings at the UBS Global Healthcare Conference on November 9 in Palm Beach Gardens and the Miami Biotech Collective Summit on November 30 in Miami. A fireside chat at the Stifel Healthcare Conference is scheduled for November 10 at 10:40 a.m. ET in New York.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) will hold its annual Investor Day on December 8, 2026, at the Harvard Club of New York City. The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. Management will discuss strategy, investment activity, the royalty portfolio and long-term financial outlook. Palvella Therapeutics CEO Wes Kaupinen will discuss QTORIN rapamycin development. A live webcast and subsequent replay will be available.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) will report its third quarter 2026 financial results on October 29, 2026, and hold a conference call. The call begins at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the results and provide a general business update. Live and replay webcasts will be available.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) entered a financing agreement with AvenCell Therapeutics on September 24, 2026, for up to $47 million.
Ligand committed up to $41 million in exchange for a mid single-digit to low double-digit royalty on worldwide annual net sales of AvenCell’s current and future pipeline assets. The rate depends on the total amount funded. The funding has four tranches: the first is payable at closing, while the other three depend on predetermined clinical milestones and other specified financing conditions. Ligand also committed up to $6 million in Series C financing.
The investment is intended to advance AVC-201, in a Phase 1b expansion trial for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia, and AVC-203, a Phase 1a program for B-cell malignancies.
Sydnexis has entered a royalty agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) to sell its royalty rights on net sales of Ryjunea® in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for an upfront payment of $23 million.
Ligand will acquire a 100% interest in certain payments and related rights under Sydnexis’ existing license agreement with Santen for those territories. Sydnexis retains all rights to SYD-101 in the U.S. and other non-Santen territories. The company said the capital strengthens its balance sheet as it advances SYD-101 through the U.S. regulatory review process and prepares for potential commercialization in 2027, if approved.
Primrose Bio closed a new financing round led by healthcare-focused investor Signet Healthcare Partners, with significant participation from existing backers 1315 Capital, Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND), LDV Partners and Agent Capital. James Gale, Founding Partner and Managing Director of Signet, joined Primrose Bio’s board of directors in connection with the investment.
The company plans to use the proceeds to expand the reach and capabilities of its technology portfolio, including Pfenex Expression Technology for high-yield protein production used in six approved biologics, Prima RNApols RNA polymerases for scalable mRNA manufacturing, and PeliCRM197, a validated carrier protein used in multiple approved vaccines. Primrose’s leadership stated that the capital will support broader adoption of these platforms and help customers advance therapeutic and vaccine programs toward clinical trials.
Ligand (LGND) is acquiring a royalty and milestone interest in Santen’s eye drop Ryjunea for a $23 million upfront payment.
The deal gives Ligand a 100% interest in certain payments under Sydnexis’s existing license with Santen, including an ascending, tiered low-double-digit to high-teens royalty on Ryjunea net sales in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, plus specified milestone payments. Ryjunea, a once-nightly 0.01% low-dose atropine eye drop using deuterated water, is designed to slow myopia progression in children aged 3–14 with defined severity and progression criteria.
Ryjunea was approved by the European Commission in June 2025 and by the UK MHRA in October 2025 as the first and only pharmacologic treatment to slow pediatric myopia progression in these regions. Sydnexis retains commercial rights in the United States and other non-Santen territories.
Ligand (Nasdaq: LGND) reported that its senior management will participate in three investor events in September 2026: Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference in Boston on September 8 at 12:45 p.m. ET, Citi 2026 Biopharma Back to School Conference in New York on September 10 at 9:20 a.m. ET, and H.C. Wainwright 28th Annual Global Investment Conference in New York on September 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Management also plans to hold one-on-one meetings with investors and attendees during these conferences.
Orchestra BioMed (Nasdaq: OBIO) reported second quarter 2026 results and updates on its pivotal cardiovascular programs. The BACKBEAT global pivotal trial of AVIM Therapy, conducted with Medtronic, is on track to reach 284 evaluable randomized patients by the end of Q3 2026, with primary endpoint data presentation targeted for Q2 2027. The Virtue SAB pivotal trial for coronary in-stent restenosis continues to progress with additional site activations and patient enrollment, and AVIM Therapy received a second FDA Breakthrough Device Designation.
According to Orchestra BioMed, Q2 2026 cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $110.0 million, including $35 million in new strategic capital from Medtronic and Ligand, providing projected runway into Q4 2027. Q2 revenue was $0.1 million, research and development expenses were $16.6 million (up 20% year over year), selling, general and administrative expenses were $5.8 million (down 7%), and net loss attributable to common stockholders was $24.1 million, or ($0.38) per share. The company was added to the Russell 3000 and Russell 2000 indexes and plans an R&D Day on November 12, 2026, in New York City.