Ligand to acquire XOMA Royalty for $39 per share
XOMA Royalty Corporation agreed to be acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals in an all-cash merger.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
XOMA Royalty Corporation agreed to be acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals in an all-cash merger. XOMA common stockholders will receive $39.00 per share in cash plus contingent value rights tied to potential proceeds from certain Janssen-related litigation, giving both immediate value and additional upside potential.
The deal values XOMA at approximately $739 million and represents about a 14% premium to its 30‑day volume‑weighted average price before announcement. XOMA’s Series X preferred shares will convert to common stock, while its perpetual preferred shares will be redeemed with accrued dividends. A holding company reorganization and CVR structure will be completed before closing, and key shareholders owning roughly 47% of XOMA’s shares have agreed to support the transaction.
Positive
- Value realization with upside: XOMA stockholders receive $39.00 per share in cash (about a 14% premium to the 30‑day VWAP) plus contingent value rights tied to 75% of net proceeds from specified Janssen litigation, combining immediate liquidity with additional potential returns.
Negative
- None.
Insights
All-cash sale of XOMA with CVR upside and strong holder support.
XOMA Royalty has entered a definitive agreement to be acquired by Ligand for $39.00 per share in cash, implying roughly $739 million in equity value. Stockholders also receive a contingent value right for a share of 75% of net proceeds from specified Janssen litigation, adding potential upside beyond the cash payment.
The deal follows a structured process, includes a holding company reorganization and a CVR spin, and features customary closing conditions such as antitrust clearance and majority stockholder approval. A termination fee of $40,000,000 applies in defined break scenarios, which is typical for a transaction of this size.
Support agreements cover about 47% of outstanding shares as of April 27, 2026, increasing execution visibility. For Ligand, the transaction is positioned as immediately accretive, with higher 2026 revenue and EPS guidance, though those benefits accrue to Ligand’s shareholders, while XOMA holders realize value primarily through the sale price and CVR participation.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Contingent Value Right financial
Holding Company Reorganization regulatory
Superior Proposal financial
no-shop regulatory
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 regulatory
Contingent Value Rights Trust financial
FAQ
What did XOMA (XOMA) announce in this 8-K filing?
What is the purchase price Ligand will pay for XOMA (XOMA)?
What contingent value rights (CVRs) will XOMA (XOMA) stockholders receive?
How will XOMA’s preferred stock be treated in the Ligand acquisition?
When is the XOMA and Ligand transaction expected to close?
Is there a termination fee in the XOMA (XOMA) merger agreement?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On April 27, 2026, XOMA Royalty Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company” or “XOMA Royalty”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Flex Merger Sub, Inc., a Nevada corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, including, without limitation, effecting the Holding Company Reorganization (as defined below), Merger Sub will merge with and into HoldCo (as defined below) (the “Merger”), with HoldCo surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
Following the Holding Company Reorganization, unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Current Report on Form 8-K to the “Company” or “XOMA Royalty” refer to HoldCo. Following the Holding Company Reorganization, HoldCo will assume all obligations of the Company under the Merger Agreement.
The Merger
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the time the Merger becomes effective (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock, par value $0.0075 per share, of the Company (the “Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than certain Shares to be canceled pursuant to the Merger Agreement and Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement)) will be automatically converted into the right to receive (i) $39.00 per Share in cash, without interest, and subject to deduction for any required withholding tax, plus (ii) an amount of contingent value rights (each, a “Contingent Value Right”) representing a right to receive contingent payments derived from the CVR Trust’s interest in RemainCo LLC (as defined below) in accordance with the CVR Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (as further described below under the heading “CVR Spin”) (clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the “Merger Consideration”).
In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each (i) share of Series X Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.05 per share (the “Series X Preferred Stock”), of the Company (the “Series X Preferred Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted, without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, into the right to receive the Merger Consideration with respect to the aggregate number of Shares for which the Series X Preferred Shares were convertible into immediately prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designation of Series X Convertible Preferred Stock, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding tax, without regard to any limitations on exercise contained therein and (ii) each 8.625% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.05 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and 8.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.05 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, the “Perpetual Preferred Stock” and collectively with the Series X Preferred Stock, the “Company Preferred Stock”), shall be redeemed in accordance with the terms of the applicable certificate of designation governing such Perpetual Preferred Stock, including payment of all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon through the date of such redemption.
The Merger Agreement also specifies the treatment of the Company’s outstanding equity awards and warrants in connection with the Merger.
The consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions as set forth in the Merger Agreement, including (i) adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement by the holders of at least a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding Shares pursuant to the Nevada Revised Statutes, as amended, (“NRS”), 92A.120(5) (the “Company Stockholder Approval”), (ii) the applicable waiting period (and any extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, having expired or been terminated and (iii) the completion of the Holding Company Reorganization and the CVR Spin (as defined below) in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. Parent and Merger Sub’s obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not subject to any financing condition.
The Merger Agreement includes representations, warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this nature. From the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, except as permitted by certain exceptions, including the consummation of the Holding Company Reorganization and the CVR Spin, the Company has agreed to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business in all material respects and has agreed to certain other operating covenants, as set forth more fully in the Merger Agreement.
The Company has also agreed to customary “no-shop” restrictions on its ability to solicit acquisition proposals from third parties and engage in discussions or negotiations with third parties regarding acquisition proposals.
Notwithstanding these restrictions, the Company may under certain circumstances provide information with respect to the Company to and participate in discussions or negotiations with third parties with respect to an unsolicited bona fide written acquisition proposal if the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that such acquisition proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and, after consultation with outside legal counsel and its financial advisors, that the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable law. The Merger Agreement also requires that the Company Board recommend that the stockholders of the Company vote in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement (the “Company Board Recommendation”) and that the Company Board not, among other things, (i) (A) fail to make, withdraw, amend, modify, or materially qualify, in a manner adverse to Parent, the Company Board Recommendation, (B) fail to include the Company Board Recommendation in a proxy statement to be sent to the stockholders of the Company in connection with a meeting of the stockholders of the Company (the “Company Stockholders’ Meeting”) that is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or mailed to the Company’s stockholders, (C) recommend an acquisition proposal, (D) fail to recommend against acceptance of any tender offer or exchange offer for Shares within 10 business days after the commencement of such offer, (E) fail to reaffirm the Company Board Recommendation within 10 business days after the date any acquisition proposal (or material modification thereto) is first publicly disclosed by the Company or anyone making the acquisition proposal or (F) resolve or agree to take any of the foregoing actions (each such foregoing actions or failure to act, an “Adverse Recommendation Change”), or (ii) cause or permit the Company or any of its subsidiaries to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, or other similar contract relating to any acquisition approval. Notwithstanding these restrictions, the Company Board is permitted, prior to the Company Stockholders’ Meeting and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, to (x) effect an Adverse Recommendation Change if an Intervening Event (as defined in the Merger Agreement) has occurred and if the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that in light of the Intervening Event and taking into account any revised terms proposed by Parent, the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law, or (y) effect an Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate the Merger Agreement in response to the receipt of an unsolicited bona fide written acquisition proposal that did not result from a material breach of the Company’s “no-shop” restrictions under the Merger Agreement if the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law and, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the acquisition proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, subject in each case to certain matching rights in favor of Parent.
The Merger Agreement includes a remedy of specific performance for the parties thereto. The Merger Agreement also includes customary termination provisions for both the Company and Parent and provides that, in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, including (i) by either the Company or Parent if the Merger has not occurred on or prior to January 26, 2027 or (ii) by either the Company or Parent if a final and non-appealable order or action in certain specified jurisdictions enjoins, restrains or prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or (iii) by either the Company or Parent if the Company Stockholder Approval has not been obtained or (iv) by either the Company or Parent if the other party breaches its representations, warranties or covenants in the Merger Agreement in a way that would entitle the party seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement not to consummate the Merger, subject to the right of the breaching party to cure the breach or (v) by the Company if the Company Board authorizes the Company to enter into an alternative acquisition agreement for a Superior Proposal or (vi) by Parent if the Company Board makes an Adverse Recommendation Change.
The Company will be required to pay a termination fee of an amount in cash equal to $40,000,000 if (i) the Merger Agreement is terminated because the stockholder approval is not obtained or the transaction has not closed by the termination date, in each case after an acquisition proposal has been made or publicly disclosed and not publicly
withdrawn, and within 12 months thereafter the Company enters into or consummates a qualifying acquisition proposal, (ii) the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to enter into a Superior Proposal, or (iii) Parent terminates the Merger Agreement following an Adverse Recommendation Change.
The Company Board has duly and unanimously (i) determined that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approved the execution and delivery by the Company of the Merger Agreement, and (iii) resolved to make the Company Board Recommendation.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and which is incorporated herein by reference. The Merger Agreement has been filed to provide information to investors regarding its terms. The Merger Agreement is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company, Parent or Merger Sub, their respective businesses, or the actual conduct of their respective businesses during the period prior to the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated therein. The Merger Agreement and this summary should not be relied upon as disclosure about the Company, Parent or Merger Sub. None of the Company’s stockholders or any other third parties should rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties that are the product of negotiations among the parties thereto and that the parties made to, and solely for the benefit of, each other as of specified dates. The assertions embodied in those representations and warranties are qualified in important part by confidential disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to Parent and Merger Sub in connection with the Merger Agreement. Moreover, certain representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from what might be viewed as material to stockholders or investors or may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts. Accordingly, investors should consider the information in the Merger Agreement in conjunction with the entirety of the factual disclosure about the Company in the Company’s public reports filed with the SEC. Information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosures.
Support Agreement
On April 27, 2026, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Parent entered into Voting and Support Agreements (the “Support Agreements”) with certain of the Company’s officers, directors and certain funds affiliated with BVF Partners (together with affiliated entities) (collectively, the “Supporting Stockholders”), in each case, in their respective capacity as a stockholder of the Company. Under the terms of the Support Agreements, the Supporting Stockholders have agreed, among other things, to vote their Shares in favor of the Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and to promptly following the date of the Merger Agreement convert all of their Series X Preferred Shares to Shares in order to permit them to vote the Shares issuable upon conversion in favor of the Company Stockholder Approval.
As of April 27, 2026, the Supporting Stockholders beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 47% of the outstanding Shares. The Support Agreements will terminate upon termination of the Merger Agreement, the Effective Time and certain other specified events.
The foregoing description of the Support Agreements is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Form of Support Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Holding Company Reorganization
Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will effect a holding company reorganization (the “Holding Company Reorganization”) pursuant to NRS 92A.180 through 92A.199 (or such other applicable provisions of the NRS), whereby (i) a newly formed Nevada corporation and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“HoldCo”), will become the holding company of the Company, which shall merge with and into the Company through a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco (“HoldCo Merger Sub”), with the Company surviving as a direct, wholly owned
subsidiary of HoldCo, (ii) each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Holding Company Reorganization will automatically be converted into one share of common stock of HoldCo, having the same rights, powers and preferences as such Share, (iii) each share of Company Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Holding Company Reorganization will automatically be converted into one share of a corresponding series of preferred stock of HoldCo, having the same designations, rights, powers, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as such share of Company Preferred Stock, and (iv) each Company equity-based award outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Holding Company Reorganization will be automatically converted into a corresponding award with respect to shares of HoldCo common stock (or, as applicable, HoldCo preferred stock), on the same terms and conditions. The Company will not effect the Holding Company Reorganization unless HoldCo’s articles of incorporation (including the designation of each series of HoldCo preferred stock with terms substantially identical to the corresponding series of Company Preferred Stock) and bylaws are in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent.
CVR Spin
Following the completion of the Holding Company Reorganization, the following transactions will be effected in the order set forth below (collectively, the “CVR Spin”):
| (i) | immediately prior to the Effective Time, HoldCo will cause the Company to transfer to HoldCo (or one or more designees of HoldCo) the HoldCo Business Assets and Business Liabilities (as each such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) (such transactions, collectively, the “Asset/Liability Transfer”); |
| (ii) | following the Asset/Liability Transfer, HoldCo will cause the Company to convert from a Nevada corporation into a limited liability company (the “RemainCo Conversion” and the Company as so converted “RemainCo LLC”); |
| (iii) | following the RemainCo Conversion, HoldCo will contribute 75% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company units of RemainCo LLC to the trust (the “CVR Trust”) established pursuant to the trust agreement to be entered into at or prior to the Effective Time by and among HoldCo, the trustee thereunder (the “Trustee”), and such other parties as may be appropriate (the “CVR Trust Agreement”) (the “Trust Contribution”), to be held and administered by the Trustee in accordance with the CVR Trust Agreement for the benefit of the holders of CVRs; and |
| (iv) | following the Trust Contribution, HoldCo shall pay, on a pro rata basis, to each holder of record of HoldCo common stock and HoldCo preferred stock (on an as-converted-to-common basis) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time as additional Merger Consideration, CVRs representing the right to receive contingent payments derived from the CVR Trust’s interest in RemainCo LLC in accordance with the CVR Trust Agreement. |
Following the date of the Merger Agreement, Parent will have the right to further assess the consequences of the Holding Company Reorganization and the CVR Spin. If Parent identifies any material adverse consequences, the parties will negotiate modifications. If no agreement is reached, the contemplated transaction structure may be replaced with an alternative CVR structure, wherein Parent will issue to each holder of record of Company common stock and Company preferred stock (on an as-converted-to-common basis) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time contingent value rights to receive 75% of net proceeds (if any) from the resolution of the Janssen Litigation (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On April 27, 2026, the Company and Parent issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed acquisition, XOMA Royalty will be filing documents with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed acquisition. The definitive proxy statement will
be mailed to XOMA Royalty’s stockholders in connection with the proposed acquisition. This Current Report on Form 8-K is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that may be filed by XOMA Royalty with the SEC. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Any vote in respect of resolutions to be proposed at XOMA Royalty’s stockholder meeting to approve the proposed acquisition or other responses in relation to the proposed acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in XOMA Royalty’s proxy statement. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or at investors.xoma.com.
No Offer or Solicitation
This Current Report on Form 8-K is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the proposed acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.
Participants in the Solicitation
XOMA Royalty and its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of XOMA Royalty in favor of the proposed acquisition. Information about XOMA Royalty’s directors and executive officers is set forth in XOMA Royalty’s proxy statement for its 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2026. Additional information concerning the interests of XOMA Royalty’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of XOMA Royalty’s stockholders generally, will be set forth in XOMA Royalty’s proxy statement relating to the proposed acquisition when it becomes available. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and at investors.xoma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including information about, among other topics, Parent’s proposed acquisition of XOMA Royalty, Parent’s and XOMA Royalty’s products pipeline and the anticipated timing of completion of the proposed acquisition, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing the proposed acquisition (including the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and failure to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval) in the anticipated timeframe or at all, including the possibility that the proposed acquisition does not close; the possibility that competing offers may be made; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the acquisition will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships, including XOMA Royalty’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified management and other clinical and scientific personals; negative effects of this announcement or the consummation of the proposed acquisition on the market price of the Shares and/or operating results; significant transaction costs; unknown liabilities; the risk of litigation and/or regulatory actions related to the proposed acquisition or XOMA Royalty’s business; other business effects and uncertainties, including the effects of industry, market, business, economic, political or regulatory conditions; future exchange and interest rates; risks and uncertainties related to issued or future executive orders or other new, or changes in, laws, regulations or policy; changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies; the uncertainties inherent in business and financial planning, including, without limitation, risks related to Parent’s business and prospects, adverse developments in Parent’s markets, or adverse developments in the U.S. or global capital markets, credit markets, regulatory environment, tariffs and other trade policies or economies generally; future business combinations or disposals; uncertainties regarding the commercial success of XOMA Royalty’s commercialized and/or pipeline products or Parent’s commercialized and/or pipeline products; risks associated with drug development; XOMA Royalty’s and Parent’s reliance on collaborative partners for milestone payments,
royalties, materials revenue, contract payments and other revenue projections, which may not be received; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability of XOMA Royalty’s and Parent’s partners to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; risks associated with initial, preliminary or interim data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from the clinical trials conducted by XOMA Royalty’s and Parent’s partners; whether and when drug applications may be filed in any jurisdictions for pipeline products for any potential indications by XOMA Royalty’s and Parent’s partners; whether and when any such applications may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the product’s benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the product’s efficacy and, if approved, whether any such products will be commercially successful; and decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such products.
You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the businesses of XOMA Royalty described in the “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” sections of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by either of them from time to time with the SEC, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and XOMA Royalty assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law. XOMA Royalty gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit | Description | |
| 2.1* | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 27, 2026, by and among XOMA Royalty Corporation, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Flex Merger Sub, Inc. | |
| 10.1* | Form of Support Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2026, entered into by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Flex Merger Sub, Inc. and the Supporting Stockholders. | |
| 99.1 | Joint Press Release of XOMA Royalty Corporation and Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, dated April 27, 2026. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |
| * | Certain exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit or schedule to the SEC upon request; provided, however, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any schedule so furnished. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| XOMA ROYALTY CORPORATION | ||||||
| Date: April 27, 2026 | By: | /s/ Owen Hughes | ||||
| Name: | Owen Hughes | |||||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||||
Exhibit 99.1
Ligand to Acquire XOMA Royalty, Further Accelerating Profit Growth and Strengthening Ligand’s Position as a Leading Biopharma Royalty Aggregator
Transaction expands Ligand’s royalty portfolio to more than 200 assets and adds seven new commercial products
Bolsters and diversifies Ligand’s long-term compounding growth, adding a complementary portfolio across development stages, therapeutic areas, and modalities to broaden patient access and improve lives
Acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Ligand adjusted EPS; Ligand increases 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $8.50-$9.501 and expects the transaction to be accretive by $1.50 per share to adjusted EPS in 2027 2
Ligand to hold investor call at 8:00 a.m. ET today
JUPITER, Fla. and EMERYVILLE, Calif., April 27, 2026—Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: LGND) and XOMA Royalty Corporation (“XOMA Royalty”) (Nasdaq: XOMA), both biotechnology royalty aggregators, today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Ligand will acquire XOMA Royalty for $39.00 per share of common stock in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $739 million. XOMA Royalty stockholders are expected to separately receive one non-transferable Contingent Value Right (“CVR”) per share entitling the holder to receive a portion of 75% of the net proceeds that may result from certain pending litigation at XOMA Royalty. The cash purchase price at close represents an approximately 14% premium to XOMA Royalty’s 30 trading day volume weighted average price as of April 24, 2026, the last trading day prior to announcement of the transaction.
“The acquisition of XOMA Royalty presents a compelling opportunity for us to strengthen and diversify our portfolio across all stages of clinical development and accelerate our long-term profitable growth. This acquisition will add seven marketed products and nearly double our portfolio of Phase 2 and 3 assets, which we believe will create significant value for our stockholders, all through a single transaction,” said Todd Davis, CEO of Ligand. “The XOMA Royalty team has built a robust portfolio of complementary biopharmaceutical assets, and this acquisition will enable us to further grow and diversify in areas such as ophthalmology, oncology, CNS and rare diseases. With XOMA Royalty, we believe we will now be in an even stronger position to leverage our expertise and capital base to support broader patient access and advance late-stage clinical programs in a way that enhances patient outcomes and improves lives.
With this agreement, Ligand adds over 120 commercial, clinical, and preclinical stage assets to its broad and growing royalty portfolio highlighted by Roche’s VABYSMO® (faricimab-svoa), Day One Pharmaceuticals’ OJEMDA™ (tovorafenib), Zevra Therapeutics’ MIPLYFFA™ (arimoclomol), and 14 programs in late-stage development, highlighted by Takeda’s mezagitamab and certain assets from Takeda’s externalized asset portfolio, including osavampator, volixibat and OHB-607. The addition of the XOMA Royalty portfolio is expected to increase Ligand’s long-term growth profile.
“After evaluating a broad range of strategic and financing alternatives, we believe combining our diverse portfolio with a company that shares our commitment to helping the biopharmaceutical industry thrive represents the most compelling outcome for XOMA Royalty’s stockholders,” said Owen Hughes, CEO of XOMA Royalty. “The structure delivers to our stockholders both the intrinsic value of XOMA’s portfolio today and the optionality associated with our ongoing litigation with Janssen Biotech (now Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine) via the CVR. Since 2023, we significantly scaled our portfolio with the addition of multiple assets and two platform technologies, enabling numerous upcoming regulatory and clinical catalysts beginning in 2026 and continuing over the next several years. We believe coupling Ligand’s business development capabilities, portfolio management expertise plus the inherent financial synergies from this transaction position the combined company to maximize long-term value across the combined portfolio.”
Transaction Terms
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Ligand will acquire all the outstanding shares of common stock of XOMA Royalty for $39.00 per share in cash. The cash consideration for the transaction is expected to be funded with Ligand’s existing cash on hand and borrowings under Ligand’s existing credit facility. XOMA Royalty’s Series X Convertible Preferred Stock is expected to be converted into shares of common stock at its stated fixed price prior to closing, whereas the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock are expected to be redeemed. XOMA Royalty stockholders also will receive one CVR per share. The CVRs are intended to provide XOMA Royalty stockholders with the opportunity to receive certain net proceeds, if any are recovered, from certain ongoing litigation with regard to XOMA Royalty’s dispute with Janssen Biotech regarding the commercialization of TREMFYA®.
Timing and Approvals
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Ligand and XOMA Royalty Boards of Directors. Entities affiliated with BVF Partners, which own approximately 21% of the outstanding shares of XOMA Royalty common stock and approximately 44% assuming the conversion of their Series X Convertible Preferred Stock, have agreed to convert such shares into shares of XOMA Royalty common stock prior to closing and have entered into a voting agreement in support of the transaction. In addition, XOMA Royalty’s directors and officers have also entered into voting agreements in support of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, approval by XOMA Royalty stockholders and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals.
Financial Guidance Update
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026 and to be immediately accretive to Ligand earnings per share. Ligand is increasing its 2026 revenue guidance to be in the range of $270 million to $310 million (previously $245 million to $285 million) and is raising adjusted earnings per diluted share1 guidance to $8.50 to $9.50 (previously $8.00 to $9.00). Royalties are now expected to range from $225 million to $250 million (previously $200 million to $225 million). Guidance for sales of Captisol® ($35 million to $40 million) and contract revenue ($10 million to $20 million) are unchanged. In addition, Ligand expects the transaction to be accretive by $1.50 per share to adjusted EPS in 2027.2
Investor Call
Ligand will host a conference call and webcast today beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time (5:00 a.m. Pacific time) to discuss today’s announcement. To participate via telephone, please dial (800) 715-9871 (North America toll-free number) using the conference ID 8692804. International participants outside of Canada may use the toll number (646) 307-1963 and use the same conference ID. To participate via live or replay webcast, a link is available at www.ligand.com.
Advisors
Stifel is serving as lead financial advisor and Citi is serving as financial advisor, Paul Hastings LLP is serving as legal advisor and Collected Strategies is serving as strategic communications advisor to Ligand. Leerink Partners is serving as lead financial advisor and H.C. Wainwright & Co. is serving as financial advisor, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as legal advisor to XOMA Royalty.
About XOMA Royalty Corporation
XOMA Royalty is a biotechnology royalty aggregator playing a distinctive role in helping biotech companies achieve their goal of improving human health. XOMA Royalty acquires the potential future economics associated with pre-commercial and commercial therapeutic candidates that have been licensed to pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. When XOMA Royalty acquires the future economics, the seller receives non-dilutive, non-recourse funding they can use to advance their internal drug candidate(s) or for general corporate purposes. XOMA Royalty has an extensive and growing portfolio of assets (asset defined as the right to receive potential future economics associated with the advancement of an underlying therapeutic candidate). For more information about XOMA Royalty and its portfolio, please visit www.xoma.com or follow XOMA Royalty Corporation on LinkedIn.
About Ligand
Ligand is a leading royalty aggregator, partnering with biopharmaceutical companies to finance and advance late-stage clinical development programs. Ligand owns and manages one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of biopharmaceutical royalties in the industry, with economic interests in more than 100 development and commercial-stage assets. Ligand funds high-value programs in exchange for long-term economic interests, aligning capital with clinical and commercial success. Ligand’s royalty portfolio is designed to deliver consistent and predictable revenue streams across a broad range of therapeutic assets. Ligand also licenses its proprietary technologies, Captisol® and NITRICIL™, to support drug development and formulation across its global partner network. For more information, visit www.ligand.com or follow Ligand on X and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including information about, among other topics, Ligand’s proposed acquisition of XOMA Royalty, Ligand’s and XOMA Royalty’s products pipeline and the anticipated timing of completion of the proposed acquisition, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing the proposed acquisition (including the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and failure to obtain the requisite vote by XOMA Royalty stockholders) in the anticipated timeframe or at all, including the possibility that the proposed acquisition does not close; the possibility that competing offers may be made; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the acquisition will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the businesses will
not be integrated successfully; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships, including XOMA Royalty’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified management and other clinical and scientific personals; negative effects of this announcement or the consummation of the proposed acquisition on the market price of Ligand’s or XOMA Royalty’s common stock and/or operating results; significant transaction costs; unknown liabilities; the risk of litigation and/or regulatory actions related to the proposed acquisition or XOMA Royalty’s business; other business effects and uncertainties, including the effects of industry, market, business, economic, political or regulatory conditions; future exchange and interest rates; risks and uncertainties related to issued or future executive orders or other new, or changes in, laws, regulations or policy; changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies; the uncertainties inherent in business and financial planning, including, without limitation, risks related to Ligand’s business and prospects, adverse developments in Ligand’s markets, or adverse developments in the U.S. or global capital markets, credit markets, regulatory environment, tariffs and other trade policies or economies generally; future business combinations or disposals; uncertainties regarding the commercial success of XOMA Royalty’s commercialized and/or pipeline products or Ligand’s commercialized and/or pipeline products; risks associated with drug development; XOMA Royalty’s and Ligand’s reliance on collaborative partners for milestone payments, royalties, materials revenue, contract payments and other revenue projections, which may not be received; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability of XOMA Royalty’s and Ligand’s partners to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; risks associated with initial, preliminary or interim data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from the clinical trials conducted by XOMA Royalty’s and Ligand’s partners; whether and when drug applications may be filed in any jurisdictions for pipeline products for any potential indications by XOMA Royalty’s and Ligand’s partners; whether and when any such applications may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the product’s benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the product’s efficacy and, if approved, whether any such products will be commercially successful; and decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such products.
You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the businesses of Ligand and XOMA Royalty described in the “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” (in the case of Ligand) and “Forward Looking Statements” (in the case of XOMA Royalty) sections of their respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by either of them from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), all of which are available at www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ligand and XOMA Royalty assume no obligation to, and do not intend to, update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law. Neither Ligand nor XOMA Royalty gives any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed acquisition, XOMA Royalty will be filing documents with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed acquisition. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to XOMA Royalty’s stockholders in connection with the proposed acquisition. This press release is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that may be filed by XOMA Royalty with the SEC. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Any vote in respect of resolutions to be proposed at XOMA Royalty’s stockholder meeting to approve the proposed acquisition or other responses in relation to the proposed acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in XOMA Royalty’s proxy statement. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or at investors.xoma.com.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the proposed acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.
Participants in the Solicitation
XOMA Royalty and its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of XOMA Royalty in favor of the proposed acquisition. Information about XOMA Royalty’s directors and executive officers is set forth in XOMA Royalty’s proxy statement for its 2026 annual meetings of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2026 and is available here. Additional information concerning the interests of XOMA Royalty’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of XOMA Royalty’s stockholders generally, will be set forth in XOMA Royalty’s proxy statement relating to the proposed acquisition when it becomes available. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and at investors.xoma.com.
Contacts
For Ligand:
Investors:
Melanie Herman
investors@ligand.com
(858) 550-7761
Media:
Nick Lamplough/Jude Gorman
Ligand-CS@collectedstrategies.com
(917) 885-1013
For XOMA Royalty Corporation:
Investors:
Maghan Meyers
Maghan_@argotpartners.com
(646) 367-2769
Media:
Kathy Vincent
KV Consulting & Management
kathy@kathyvincent.com
(310) 403-8951
| 1 | The financial outlook, expectations and other forward-looking statements provided by Ligand for 2026 and beyond reflect Ligand’s judgment based on the information available at the time of this release. Please see the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements” section in this release for factors that may impact Ligand’s ability to meet expectations. A reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP core adjusted earnings per diluted share for 2026 to the most directly comparable GAAP measures was provided in Ligand’s Acquisition of XOMA Royalty Corporation presentation on April 27, 2026, which is available on Ligand’s investor relations website. |
| 2 | The financial outlook, expectations and other forward-looking statements provided by Ligand for 2026 and beyond reflect Ligand’s judgment based on the information available at the time of this release. Please see the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements” section in this release for factors that may impact Ligand’s ability to meet expectations. In reliance upon Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K, reconciliations of forward-looking core adjusted earnings per diluted share for 2027 is not provided because of the unreasonable effort associated with providing such reconciliations due to the variability in the occurrence and the amounts of certain components thereof. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results. |