SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 ---------------


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT




     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 24, 2003

                       LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    DELAWARE
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

                                    000-20720
                            (Commission File Number)

                           10275 SCIENCE CENTER DRIVE,
                              SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (858) 550-7500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                   77-0160744
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                                   92121-1117
                                   (Zip Code)






Item 7.  Exhibits


EXHIBIT  NUMBER         DESCRIPTION
                        

     99.1               Press Release of the Company dated April 24, 2003



Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure

     The following information is furnished pursuant to "Item 12. Disclosure of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition."

     On April 24, 2003, the registrant reported its financial results for its
first quarter ended March 31, 2003. A copy of the press release issued by the
registrant on April 24, 2003 concerning the foregoing results is furnished
herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

     In accordance with the procedural guidance in SEC Release No. 33-8216, the
information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached to this Form 8-K are being
furnished under "Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure" rather than under "Item 12.
Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." The information
shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in
any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as
expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.



SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.


                                     LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED




Date :  April 24, 2003               By:      /S/WARNER BROADDUS
                                     Name:    Warner Broaddus
                                     Title:   Vice President,
                                              General Counsel & Secretary