Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a billion dollar biotech engaged in the discovery, development, approval and marketing of new drugs for the treatment of cancer, skin diseases, hormone-related diseases, osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The drugs regulate hormone-activated intracellular receptors and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription. In the last decade, the company has spent nearly $500 million researching drug candidates. Those efforts led to some successes, with Ligand gaining FDA approval for marketing in the United States of Ontak, a cancer drug; and Panretin, for AIDS lesions. In late 1999, the company secured approval to begin selling Targretin for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Testing is under way to use Targretin to treat psoriasis and breast cancer.

David E. Robinson has been president and CEO since 1991, and chairman since 1996. Prior to Ligand, he was COO of the pharmaceutical company Erbamont and also held various executive positions during a 10-year stint with Abbott Laboratories. Ligand employs 418 at its Science Center Drive location, and became a billion dollar baby on Feb. 18 when its stock hit a 52-week high of $25.25. As of Feb. 22 shares were trading at $20.50 with the company’s market cap at $978.5 million.

— Lora Watters