`     UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 12B-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check one):    /  / Form 10-K   /  /Form 20-F    /  /Form 11-K  /X/Form 10-Q
               /  /Form N-SAR    /  /Form N-CSR

                           For Period Ended: 09/30/05

/  /Transition Report on Form 10-K
/  /Transition Report on Form 20-F
/  /Transition Report on Form 11-K
/  /Transition Report on Form 10-Q
/  /Transition Report on Form N-SAR For the Transition Period Ended:
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  Read instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.
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NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION HAS
VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

NOT APPLICABLE
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PART I -- REGISTRANT INFORMATION

LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
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Full Name of Registrant

NOT APPLICABLE
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Former Name if Applicable

10275 SCIENCE CENTER DRIVE
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

SAN DIEGO, CA  92121
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City, State and Zip Code





PART II - RULES 12B-25(B) AND (C)

     If the subject  report could not be filed  without  unreasonable  effort or
expense  and  the  registrant  seeks  relief  pursuant  to Rule  12b-25(b),  the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

          (a)  The reason described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
               form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
               expense

  / /     (b)  The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
               report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR or Form
               N-CSR, or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the
               fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the
               subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or
               portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifth calendar
               day following the prescribed due date; and

          (c)  The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
               12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, N-SAR, N-CSR,
or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the
prescribed time period.

The quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (the
"Company") for the period ended September 30, 2005 could not be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on a timely basis due to the following
reasons:

On May 20, 2005, the Company announced that it will restate its
consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31,
2002 and 2003 and as of and for the quarters of 2003 and the first three
quarters of 2004. The filing of the Company's Form 10-K annual report for the
year ended December 31, 2004 and the Company's Forms 10-Q quarterly reports for
the periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 have been
delayed pending the anticipated completion of the restated consolidated
historical financial statements.

The restatement will not be completed in sufficient time for the Company to: (i)
complete its financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2005, (ii)
assure that the information presented in the Form 10-Q complies with the
requirements of the form and applicable federal securities laws and regulations,
and (iii) file the Form 10-Q, within the prescribed period without unreasonable
delay and expense. No determination has yet been made as to the magnitude of any
changes that may be required as a result of the restatement.

Under the PCAOB's Audit Standard No. 2, the circumstance of a restatement is a
strong indicator that a material weakness may exist in the Company's internal
control over financial reporting. In addition to the material weakness which may
result from the restatement, additional control deficiencies may be identified
during the process which individually or in the aggregate could constitute an
additional material weakness.

The Company previously provided additional information concerning the
status of these reviews and the Company's current expectations on this and
related topics in its press releases dated March 17, March 30, May 4, May 20,
August 1, August 15, August 23, September 1, September 2 and September 12, 2005.


PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

1.   Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
     notification

                                                  
Warner R. Broaddus              (858)                   550-7500
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(Name)                          (Area Code)             (Telephone Number)
 



2.   Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
     registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
     identify report(s). Yes / / No/X/

     Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004.
     Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005.
     Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005.

3.   Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
     the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
     earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion
     thereof? Yes /X/ No/ /

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

The restatement requires the Company to develop and validate "sell-through"
revenue recognition models under SFAS 48 - Revenue Recognition when Right of
Return Exists for each of its products. Financial statements and data for the
periods being restated, as well as for the year ended December 31, 2004 and
periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 are currently
being audited by the Company's independent public accounting firm. Following
audit of the models and restatement of the consolidated financial statements
certain adjustments may be necessary. Therefore, reasonable estimates are not
available at this time. No determination has yet been made as to the magnitude
of any changes that may be required as a result of the restatement.


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                       LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
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                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.



Date   November 10, 2005
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By    /S/ WARNER R. BROADDUS
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      Warner R. Broaddus
      General Counsel, Vice President & Secretary