Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. operates as a global biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to advancing and licensing pharmaceutical assets. The company's portfolio features a diverse array of therapies addressing critical health conditions. Key products include Kyprolis and Evomela, both indicated for multiple myeloma; Rylaze, an effective treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma in pediatric and adult populations; and Filspari, a dual antagonist in development for rare kidney diseases and immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Ligand also provides Teriparatide injections for osteoporosis, alongside vaccines such as Vaxneuvance, designed to prevent invasive disease caused by streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, and Pneumosil, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for children. Their offerings extend to TZIELD, a CD3-directed antibody aimed at delaying the onset of Stage 3 Type 1 diabetes in adults and children aged 8 and older diagnosed with Stage 2 T1D. A core technological strength for Ligand is its Captisol platform, which enhances drug formulations. This is utilized in products like Nexterone (an amiodarone formulation), Zulresso (for postpartum depression), Veklury (an antiviral for moderate to severe COVID-19), and Noxafil-IV. Additional treatments in their pipeline target post-menopausal symptoms (Duavee), autoimmune diseases (Exemptia), breast cancer (Vivitra), and a variety of other indications with Bryxta and Zybev. Beyond its own product advancements, Ligand cultivates strategic partnerships and licensing agreements with prominent pharmaceutical entities such as Amgen, Merck, Pfizer, Jazz, Takeda, Gilead Sciences, and Baxter International. The company also generates revenue by selling its Captisol materials. Established in 1987, Ligand Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Jupiter, Florida.
Ligand and AvenCell Therapeutics Enter Financing Agreement to Advance Pipeline of Next-Generation CAR-T Therapies for Up to $47 Million
Ligand Pharmaceuticals entered a financing agreement with AvenCell Therapeutics worth up to $47 million to advance AvenCell's allogeneic CAR-T pipeline.
Ligand committed up to $41 million for a mid single-digit to low double-digit royalty on worldwide net sales of AvenCell assets, funded in four tranches tied to clinical milestones, plus up to $6 million in a Series C round.
The deal adds exposure to AvenCell's lead programs AVC-201 (relapsed/refractory AML, Phase 1b expansion) and AVC-203 (B-cell malignancies, Phase 1a), expanding Ligand's royalty portfolio of more than 200 assets.