Profile: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc (LGND.OQ)

LGND.OQ on NASDAQ Stock Exchange Global Market

49.02USD
1 Aug 2013
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$1.64 (+3.46%)
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Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Ligand), incorporated in 1987, is a biotechnology company that operates with a business model focused on developing or acquiring assets. The Company’s technology portfolio CAPTISOL is a formulation technology that has enabled five Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved products, including Pfizer’s VFEND IV and Baxter International’s Nexterone and is being used in a number of clinical-stage partner programs. The therapies in its portfolio in development address the unmet medical needs of patients for a spectrum of diseases, including hepatitis, muscle wasting, Alzheimer’s disease, dyslipidemia, diabetes, anemia, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. It’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Ligand JVR, Allergan Ligand Retinoid Therapeutics, Seragen, Inc., Pharmacopeia, LLC, Neurogen Corporation, CyDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Metabasis Therapeutics. On January 26, 2011, the Company acquired CyDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CyDex).

The Company’s Viviant/Conbriza is marketed in Spain under the brand name CONBRIZA through a co-promotion with Almirall. PROMACTA is approved for thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and the Company receives royalties from GSK on world-wide sales. GSK has completed two Phase III studies designed to demonstrate PROMACTA’s value in treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with Hepatitis C. GSK is also conducting Phase II clinical studies for oncology-related thrombocytopenia in patients with solid tumors, sarcoma and advanced Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia after MDS. CyDex and Onyx Pharmaceuticals develops the Captisol-enabled IV formulation of carfilzomib for refractory multiple myeloma.

CAPTISOL-Enabled Melphalan IV

The Company is developing a CAPTISOL-enabled formulation of melphalan as an injectable, palliative treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. Melphalan, which is marketed by GSK under the name Alkeran, is the standard of care for use in conditioning regimens prior to autologous stem cell transplant in patients with multiple myeloma. Its Captisol-enabled form of melphalan does not require a special non-aqueous dissolving solvent system containing levels of propylene glycol for reconstitution, and can be dissolved directly into saline. The CAPTISOL-enabled melphalan program has also obtained orphan drug designation from the FDA.

HepDirect HCV Inhibitor Program

The Company is developing small molecule inhibitors of the Hepatitis C virus using its HepDirect technology platform. Data from lead molecules suggest that directing these molecules to the liver using the HepDirect technology produces fewer side effects and the potential for an overall risk-benefit ratio compared to non HepDirect therapies.

IRAK4 Inhibitor Program

The Company is developing small molecule Interleukin-1 Receptor Associated Kinase-4 (IRAK4) inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory and immune disorders. IRAK4 is a signaling component downstream of both toll-like receptors and interleukin-1 receptors suggesting that it may have therapeutic value for a range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Inhibition of IRAK4 activity has been implicated in multiple diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Inhibitors of IRAK4 may also be useful for the treatment of certain leukemias and lymphomas.

Glucagon Receptor Antagonist Research Program

The Company is developing small molecule glucagon receptor antagonists for the treatment of Type II diabetes mellitus. Compounds have been discovered that block the action of glucagon on human hepatocytes in vitro. Its advanced glucagon antagonist compounds demonstrate oral bioavailability in rodents.

Company Address

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc

Suite 200, 11119 North Torrey Pi
LA JOLLA   CA   92037
P: +1858.5507500
F: +1302.6365454

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