On July 14, 2026 Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: LGND) reported it has completed its acquisition of XOMA Royalty Corporation ("XOMA Royalty"), a biotechnology royalty aggregator, for $39.00 per share of common stock in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $739 million. XOMA Royalty stockholders also received 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.
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"At Ligand, we are focused on building a diversified portfolio of high-value royalty assets tied to innovative medicines that have the potential to improve patient outcomes around the world," said Todd Davis, CEO of Ligand. "Over the past several years, we have executed a disciplined strategy to expand, diversify and strengthen our royalty portfolio, and the acquisition of XOMA Royalty meaningfully advances that vision. This transaction adds exposure to high-quality commercial and development-stage assets and enhances our ability to generate durable, long-term shareholder value, marking an important milestone in our evolution as a leading biopharmaceutical royalty aggregator."
This acquisition strengthens Ligand’s royalty portfolio by adding seven commercial products, including Roche’s VABYSMO (faricimab-svoa), Servier’s OJEMDA (tovorafenib), and Zevra Therapeutics’ MIPLYFFA (arimoclomol). Additionally, it includes 14 late-stage development programs, featuring Takeda’s mezagitamab and certain assets from Takeda’s externalized asset portfolio, such as osavampator, volixibat, and OHB-607, along with more than 100 assets in various stages of development. As a result, Ligand’s portfolio has more than doubled in size, now comprising over 200 commercial, clinical, and preclinical stage royalty assets.
The closing of the transaction met Ligand’s original timeline expectations. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive and to add approximately $0.50 and $1.50 per share to Ligand’s projected 2026 and 2027 adjusted earnings per share1, respectively. Ligand will provide an updated 5-year outlook during the Company’s Investor Day on December 8, 2026.
In connection with the completion of the transaction, XOMA Royalty common stock ceased trading on The Nasdaq Global Market.
Advisors
Stifel served as lead financial advisor, Citi served as financial advisor, Paul Hastings LLP served as legal advisor, and Collected Strategies served as strategic communications advisor to Ligand. Leerink Partners served as lead financial advisor, H.C. Wainwright & Co. served as financial advisor, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal advisor to XOMA Royalty.
(Press release, Ligand, JUL 14, 2026, View Source [SID1234669204])