UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): August 3, 2009

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

________________

Delaware

001-33093

77-0160744

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or Organization)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

10275 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California, 92121-1117
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(858) 550-7500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

On August 3, 2009, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. A copy of this press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

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

		LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED



Date:	August 3, 2009	By:	/s/ Charles S. Berkman
		Name:	Charles S. Berkman
		Title:	Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Exhibit No.		Description

99.1		Press release of the Company dated August 3, 2009.