On August 7, 2025 Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: LGND) reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, and provided an operating forecast and business update (Press release, Ligand, AUG 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234654989]). Ligand management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results and answer questions.
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"We are pleased to announce an increase to our 2025 guidance reflecting the continued strength and growth of our commercial-stage royalty portfolio." said Todd Davis, CEO of Ligand. "This quarter there were several key milestones across our portfolio including the commercial launch of Zelsuvmi by our partner Pelthos and Merck’s recently announced acquisition of our partner, Verona, which is expected to further accelerate the launch trajectory of Ohtuvayre in COPD and its clinical development in other indications. These achievements reflect the significant value of our partnerships and our comprehensive asset selection process, which continue to validate our robust and differentiated royalty aggregation model."
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Total revenues and other income for the second quarter of 2025 were $47.6 million, compared with $41.5 million for the same period in 2024, with the 15% increase primarily attributable to an increase in royalty revenue. Royalties for the second quarter of 2025 were $36.4 million, compared with $23.2 million for the same period in 2024, with the 57% increase primarily attributable to royalties earned on Recordati’s Qarziba, and Travere Therapeutics’ Filspari. Captisol sales were $8.3 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared with $7.5 million for the same period in 2024, with the change due to the timing of customer orders. Contract revenue and other income was $2.9 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared with $10.9 million for the same period in 2024, with the difference due to the timing of partner milestone events.
Cost of Captisol was $2.9 million and amortization of intangibles was $8.3 million for each of the second quarters of 2025 and 2024. Research and development expenses were $6.6 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared with $5.4 million for the same period in 2024, with the increase primarily attributable to expenses incurred by Pelthos in preparation for the commercial launch of Zelsuvmi. General and administrative expenses were $20.2 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared with $17.6 million for the same period in 2024, with the increase primarily attributable to employee related costs and operating costs associated with incubating the Pelthos business. Fair value adjustment to partner program derivatives was $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2025 primarily due to mark to market adjustments to certain Agenus partnered programs. In the second quarter of 2024 Ligand recorded a $26.5 million financial asset impairment tied to Takeda’s Soticlestat program which resulted from missing its Phase 3 clinical trial primary endpoint.
GAAP net income was $4.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, compared with GAAP net loss of $51.9 million, or $2.88 per share, for the same period in 2024. Core adjusted net income for the second quarter of 2025 was $32.0 million, or $1.60 per diluted share, compared to $25.8 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024. The increase in core adjusted net income was driven primarily by the
15% increase in revenue and other income. Core adjusted net income represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See the table below for a reconciliation of net income (loss) to core adjusted net income.
As of June 30, 2025, Ligand had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $245.0 million, which includes $26.5 million in Viking Therapeutics common stock.
Year-to-Date Financial Results
Total revenues and other income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were $93.0 million, compared with $72.5 million for the same period in 2024, with the 28% increase primarily attributable to an increase in royalty revenue and Captisol sales. Royalties for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were $63.9 million, compared with $42.3 million for the same period in 2024, with the 51% increase primarily attributable to royalties earned on Recordati’s Qarziba, and Travere Therapeutics’ Filspari. Captisol sales were $21.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared with $16.7 million for the same period in 2024, with the change due to the timing of customer orders. Contract revenue and other income was $7.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared with $13.5 million for the same period in 2024, with the difference due to the timing of partner milestone events.
Cost of Captisol was $7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared with $5.8 million for the same period in 2024, with the change due to an increase in Captisol sales. Amortization of intangibles was $16.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared with $16.4 million for the same period in 2024. Research and development expenses were $56.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared with $11.3 million for the same period in 2024, with the increase primarily attributable to a $44.3 million one-time charge in connection with Ligand’s previously announced royalty financing agreement with Castle Creek Biosciences to fund the Phase 3 clinical study of D-Fi (FCX-007), which was accounted for as a research and development funding arrangement under ASC 730-20, Research and Development Arrangements. General and administrative expenses were $39.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared with $28.6 million for the same period in 2024, with the increase primarily attributable to employee related costs and operating costs associated with incubating the Pelthos business. Fair value adjustment to partner program derivatives was $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 primarily due to mark to market adjustments to certain Agenus partnered programs. Financial royalty assets impairment was $26.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 due to Takeda’s Soticlestat missing its Phase 3 clinical trial primary endpoint of reducing the frequency of convulsive seizures for patients with Dravet Syndrome.
GAAP net loss was $37.6 million, or $1.95 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared with GAAP net gain of $34.2 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024. Core adjusted net income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $58.6 million, or $2.94 per diluted share, compared to $47.6 million, or $2.61 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024. Core adjusted net income excluded gains from the sale of Viking Therapeutics common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Ligand did not sell any shares of Viking Therapeutics common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2025. The increase in core adjusted net income was driven primarily by the 28% increase in revenue and other income. Core adjusted net income represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See the table below for a reconciliation of net income (loss) to core adjusted net income.
2025 Financial Guidance
Ligand is increasing its 2025 full year financial guidance. The Company now expects total revenue of $200 million to $225 million (previously $180 million to $200 million) and is raising its guidance on adjusted earnings per diluted share1 to $6.70 to $7.00 (previously $6.00 to $6.25).
Royalties are now expected to be in the range of $140 million to $150 million (previously $135 million to $140 million). Sales of Captisol are unchanged from $35 million to $40 million and contract revenue is now in the range of $25 million to $35 million (previously $10 million to $20 million).
Second Quarter 2025 and Corporate Highlights
Pelthos Therapeutics Transaction
On July 2, 2025, Ligand announced the completion of its previously announced merger between the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, LNHC, Inc., and CHRO Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Channel Therapeutics Corporation ("Channel"). The combined company operates under the name Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. ("Pelthos") and trades on the NYSE American exchange under the ticker symbol "PTHS".
Concurrent with the merger, Pelthos raised $50.1 million of equity capital, including a private placement from a group of strategic investors led by Murchinson ("Investor Group" and together with Ligand, the "Investors"). The
Investor Group invested $32 million and Ligand invested $18 million in the combined company, respectively. The capital was invested into Pelthos’ Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A") and common stock and includes cancellation of approximately $18.8 million in bridge capital that was advanced to Pelthos by several of the Investors (including Ligand) since the beginning of 2025 to support the commercial launch of Zelsuvmi.
On July 10, 2025, Pelthos commercially launched Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) topical gel 10.3%, the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved at-home treatment for molluscum contagiosum. Ligand earned a $5 million milestone payment from Pelthos following the commercial launch of Zelsuvmi. Ligand is also entitled to a 13% royalty on worldwide sales of Zelsuvmi, excluding Japan, and up to an additional $5 million in commercial sales milestones.
New Royalty Investment in Orchestra BioMed
On August 4, 2025, Ligand invested $25 million in strategic capital to fund Orchestra BioMed’s late-stage partnered cardiology programs with an additional $15 million to be funded, subject to certain conditions precedent, at the nine-month anniversary of the transaction closing date. Ligand’s investment included a $20 million cash payment and an additional $5 million in an equity private placement at the public offering price of $2.75 per share in Orchestra BioMed’s public offering. In exchange, Ligand will receive a low double-digit royalty on the first $100 million in commercial revenues from Orchestra’s AVIM therapy and Virtue SAB programs in all indications. Ligand will also earn a mid-single-digit royalty on annual revenues exceeding $100 million in commercial revenues from AVIM therapy in the uncontrolled hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk indication and Virtue SAB in coronary artery disease indications.
Portfolio Updates
On July 9, 2025, Merck and Verona announced a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Verona for $107 per American Depository Share (ADS), each of which represents eight Verona ordinary shares, for a total transaction value of approximately $10 billion. Verona’s portfolio includes Ohtuvayre, which was approved by the FDA in June 2024 for the maintenance treatment of COPD in adult patients. Ligand receives a 3% royalty on Ohtuvayre sales.
On July 7, 2025, Agenus announced that its botensilimab and balstilimab (BOT/BAL) combination achieved a two-year survival rate of 42% along with a more mature 21-month median overall survival in an expanded cohort of 123 patients with microsatellite-stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) without active liver metastases (NLM). Agenus also confirmed that it has reached agreement with the FDA on the design of the global BATTMAN Phase 3 trial. The FDA waived the need for a BOT monotherapy arm, allowing for a simple two-arm study design.
On June 23, 2025, Palvella Therapeutics announced the full enrollment in SELVA, a Phase 3 trial of Qtorin 3.9% rapamycin anhydrous gel (Qtorin rapamycin) for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations (microcystic LMs). The Phase 3 trial enrolled 51 subjects, exceeding the original target of 40 subjects by over 25%. Top-line results from SELVA are expected in the first quarter of 2026, with a New Drug Application (NDA) submission planned for the second half of 2026.
On June 3, 2025, Agenus announced it entered into a partnership agreement with Zydus designed to accelerate clinical development, scale global manufacturing, and expand patient access to BOT/BAL. The strategic collaboration includes an exchange of Agenus’ state-of-the-art biologics CMC facilities in Emeryville, CA and Berkeley, CA for an upfront consideration of $75 million. Moreover, Agenus will receive up to an additional $50 million in contingent payments triggered by BOT/BAL production orders. This collaboration enables Agenus to unlock the value of its manufacturing assets and secure strategic capital to drive BOT/BAL toward global regulatory engagement and commercialization.
On May 23, 2025, CSL Vifor announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published final draft guidance recommending that Filspari can be used in the NHS in England as an option to treat primary IgA nephropathy in adults with a urine protein excretion of 1.0 g/day or more, or a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio of 0.75 g/g or more.
On May 16, 2025, Nuance announced top-line results from the Phase 3 ENHANCE-CHINA trial which evaluated nebulized ensifentrine (marketed as Ohtuvayre in the U.S.) for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The ENHANCE-CHINA trial successfully met its primary endpoint, as well as secondary endpoints demonstrating improvements in lung function.
On May 15, 2025, Travere announced that the FDA accepted its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for traditional approval of Filspari (sparsentan) for the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of January 13, 2026, and has indicated that it is currently planning to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the application. Additionally, Travere continues to expect a PDUFA target action date of August 28, 2025 for its sNDA requesting modification of liver monitoring and removal of embryo-fetal toxicity monitoring REMS for Filspari for the treatment of adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) who are at risk for disease progression.
Adjusted Financial Measures
Ligand reports adjusted net income from continuing operations, adjusted net income per diluted share and adjusted earnings per diluted share in addition to, not as a substitute for, and does not consider such measures superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company also reports a core calculation for each of the foregoing measures which excludes any realized gain from sales of Viking Therapeutics common stock. Additionally, adjusted earnings per diluted share is a key component of the financial metrics utilized by the Company’s board of directors to measure, in part, management’s performance and determine significant elements of management’s compensation. The Company’s financial measures under GAAP include share-based compensation expense, amortization of debt-related costs, amortization related to acquisitions and intangible assets, changes in contingent liabilities, mark-to-market adjustments for amounts relating to its equity investments in public companies, excess tax benefit from share-based compensation, transaction costs, income tax effect of adjusted reconciling items and others that are listed in the itemized reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted financial measures included at the end of this press release. A reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is not available without unreasonable effort, as certain items cannot be reasonably predicted because of their high variability, complexity and low visibility. Specifically, non-cash adjustments that could be made for changes in contingent liabilities, changes in the market value of its investments in public companies, share-based compensation expense and the effects of any discrete income tax items, directly impact the calculations of our adjusted earnings per diluted share, which we expect to have a significant impact on our future GAAP financial results.
Conference Call and Webcast
Ligand management will host a conference call today beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific Time) to discuss this announcement and answer questions. To participate via telephone, please dial (800) 715-9871 using the conference ID 3661098. International participants outside of Canada may use the toll number +1(646) 307-1963. To participate via live or replay webcast, a link is available at www.ligand.com.