La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (Form: 8-K)

This Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made effective as of May 10, 2007 (“Effective Date”), by and between La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (“Company”) and Niv Caviar (“Executive”).

1. Employment. Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such employment, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

2.1 Position. Executive is employed as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice-President and shall have the duties and responsibilities assigned by Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) both upon initial hire and as may be reasonably assigned from time to time. Executive’s initial duties shall include management of Finance/Accounting, IR/PR, IT, Commercial and Corporate Business Development functions. Executive shall perform faithfully and diligently all duties assigned to Executive. Company reserves the right to modify Executive’s position and duties in its discretion to meet business needs, subject to subsection 7.3 below.

2.2 Best Efforts/Full-time. Executive will expend Executive’s best efforts on behalf of Company, and will abide by all policies and decisions made by Company, as well as all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations or ordinances. Executive will act in the best interest of Company at all times. Executive shall devote Executive’s full business time and efforts to the performance of Executive’s assigned duties for Company.

2.3 Work Location. Executive’s principal place of work shall be located in San Diego, California, or such other location as the parties may agree upon from time to time.

3. At-Will Employment Relationship. Executive’s employment with Company is not for any specified period and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, by either Executive or Company. No representative of Company, other than the CEO, has the authority to alter the at-will employment relationship. Any change to the at-will employment relationship must be by specific, written agreement signed by Executive and Company’s CEO. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or should be construed to contradict, modify or alter this at-will relationship.

4.1 Base Salary. As compensation for Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, Company shall pay to Executive an initial Base Salary of $275,000 per year, payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of Company, less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security and all other employment taxes and payroll deductions. In the event Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated by either party, for any reason, Executive will earn the Base Salary prorated to the date of termination.

4.2 Sign-On Bonus. Executive will be eligible to earn a Sign-On bonus of $50,000 in two installments as follows: $25,000 will be earned and paid on Company’s first regularly scheduled payday in January 2008, provided Executive remains employed with Company through and including the payment date; and $25,000 will be earned and paid on the first payday following Executive’s relocation of his primary residence to San Diego, California, provided such relocation occurs within fifteen (15) months of the Effective Date and Executive remains employed with Company through the payment date (“the Sign-On Bonus”). The Sign-On Bonus is subject to required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security and all other employment taxes and payroll deductions. The Sign-On Bonus installments will not be prorated for partial service.

4.3 Annual Bonus. Executive will be eligible to earn an annual bonus based on achievement of specified performance goals and objectives in accordance with Company’s bonus plan. Executive’s target bonus for calendar year 2007 will be 35% of the Base Salary prorated for Executive partial year of service based on the Effective Date.

4.4 Stock Options. Subject to the Board of Directors’ approval, Executive will be granted an option to purchase 180,000 shares of Company’s Common Stock under Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of that stock on the date of the grant (the “Initial Option”). The Initial Option will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the standard stock option agreement provided pursuant to the Plan, which Executive will be required to sign as a condition of receiving the Initial Option. In addition, Executive will be eligible for subsequent annual grants of stock options that may be awarded by the Compensation Committee of Company’s Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion (the “Subsequent Options”). Any Subsequent Options will be granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of that stock on the date of the grant and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the standard stock option agreement provided pursuant to the Plan for the Subsequent Options.

4.5 Relocation Assistance. Company agrees to provide Executive with relocation and temporary housing assistance as follows:

(a) Shipping and Storage Expenses. Company will pay directly for shipment and storage of Executive’s household goods to a new residence in the San Diego area up to a maximum of $5000, provided Executive relocates to San Diego within fifteen (15) months of the Effective Date and provided further Executive remains employed with Company through the payment date; and,

(b) Relocation Bonus. Company will pay Executive a one-time bonus of $35,000, less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security and all other employment taxes and payroll deductions, to help defray the costs associated with relocation from Executive’s existing residence in Laguna Niguel, California to San Diego, California, and the costs associated with temporary housing in San Diego prior to relocation and the taxes associated with this payment (the “Relocation Bonus”). The Relocation Bonus will be paid in a lump sum on the second payday of the first month of Executive’s employment with Company. The Relocation Bonus may be used for any excess costs associated with the shipment and storage of Executive’s household goods, closing costs, loan fees and/or realtor fees associated with the sale of Executive’s current residence and purchase of a new home in San Diego, temporary lodging and meals, payment of all applicable taxes, or any other purpose, as determined by Executive. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive understands and agrees that the Relocation Bonus is intended to be a fully taxable payment and that Executive will under no circumstances be entitled to a tax reimbursement payment, a tax gross-up payment, or any additional payment from Company in respect of the Relocation Bonus and its taxability. Executive further understands and agrees that Executive has sole and exclusive responsibility for determining if and the extent to which the Relocation Bonus is deductible to Executive for individual tax purposes, and Executive should consult with his own personal tax or financial advisor in connection with such individual tax issues. In the event Executive voluntarily resigns employment with Company within fifteen (15) months of the Effective Date, Executive agrees to repay Company a prorated portion of the Relocation Bonus (based on Executive’s full months of completed service) within 30 days following demand by Company for repayment.

4.6 Performance and Salary Review. Executive’s performance will be reviewed on no less than an annual basis. Adjustments to salary or other compensation, if any, will be made by Company in its sole and absolute discretion. No reduction in Base Salary will be made without Executive’s consent, unless such reduction is made a part of, and is generally consistent with, a general reduction of all senior executive salaries and does not exceed 15%.

5. Customary Fringe Benefits. Executive will be eligible for all customary and usual fringe benefits generally available to executives of Company subject to the terms and conditions of Company’s benefit plan documents. Company reserves the right to change or eliminate the fringe benefits on a prospective basis, at any time, effective upon notice to Executive.

6. Business Expenses. Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable, out-of-pocket business expenses incurred in the performance of Executive’s duties on behalf of Company. To obtain reimbursement, expenses must be submitted promptly with appropriate supporting documentation in accordance with Company’s policies.

7.1 Termination for Cause by Company. Although Company anticipates a mutually rewarding employment relationship with Executive, Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately at any time for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as: the occurrence of one or more of the following: (a) Executive is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, embezzlement, fraud or misappropriation; (b) Executive breaches this Agreement or any agreement entered into with or policy of Company in a manner that materially and adversely affects Company; (c) Executive commits willful misconduct that materially and adversely impacts Company; or (d) Executive fails, after receipt of written notice and after receiving a period of at least 10 days following such notice, to follow a lawful direction of the Board of Directors. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated in accordance with this subsection 7.1, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the Base Salary then in effect, prorated to the date of termination, and any amounts earned but not yet paid or otherwise due pursuant to sections 4, 5 and 6 above (collectively “Standard Entitlements”). All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished. Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance Package described in subsections 7.2(a), 7.3 or 7.5(a).

7.2 Termination Without Cause by Company/Severance. Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time on thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to Executive. In the event of such termination, and only if such termination occurs other than within twelve months after a Change in Control (as that term is defined below), Executive will receive the Standard Entitlements and a “Severance Package” described in subsection 7.2(a) below, provided Executive complies with all the severance conditions set forth in subsection 7.2(b) below. All other Company obligations to Executive will be automatically terminated and completely extinguished.

(a) Severance Package. If Executive is terminated without Cause, Executive will receive a severance payment equivalent to nine months of Executive’s Base Salary then in effect, payable in installments in accordance with Company’s normal payroll schedule. In addition, Company will pay the monthly premiums for group health care continuation coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“COBRA”) for nine months following termination, provided Executive elects to continue and remains eligible for such benefits and does not become eligible for health coverage through another employer during this period. Furthermore, any outstanding options to purchase common stock of Company held by Executive as of the date of Executive’s termination under this Section 7.2 shall immediately vest and become exercisable, notwithstanding any contrary terms and provisions of the applicable stock option plan and related stock option agreements.

(b) Conditions to Receive Severance Package. The Severance Package pursuant to subsection 7.2(a) will be paid, provided Executive meets both of the following conditions: (i) Executive complies with all surviving provisions of this Agreement as specified in subsection 13.8 below; and (ii) Executive executes a full general release in a form suitable to Company, releasing all claims, known or unknown, that Executive may have against Company arising out of or any way related to Executive’s employment or termination of employment with Company.

7.3 Voluntary Resignation by Executive With Good Reason/Severance. Executive may voluntarily resign Executive’s position with Company at any time for Good Reason (as defined below), provided Executive gives Company at least thirty (30) days’ advance written notice of the circumstances giving revise to the resignation with Good Reason and allows Company at least thirty (30) days for Company to cure, if desired by Company. In the event of Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, Executive will receive the Standard Entitlements and the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2(a) above, provided Executive complies will all the severance conditions set forth in subsection 7.2(b) above. All other Company obligations to Executive will be automatically terminated and completely extinguished. Executive will be deemed to have resigned for Good Reason in any of the following circumstances, unless agreed to by Executive: (a) Company’s material breach of this Agreement; (b) Executive’s position and job duties are modified such that his duties are no longer consistent with the position of Chief Business Officer/Chief Financial Officer or Chief Business Officer/Senior Commercial Executive or Senior Commercial Executive; (c) Executive’s position is modified such that his duties are no longer consistent with an Executive-Vice-President level; or (d) Executive no longer reports to the CEO.

7.4 Voluntary Resignation by Executive. Executive may voluntarily resign Executive’s position with Company at any time for any reason on thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to Company. In the event of Executive’s resignation, Executive will be entitled to receive only the Standard Entitlements for the thirty-day notice period and no other amount. All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished. Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance Package described in subsections 7.2(a) or 7.5(a).

(a) Severance Package. If Executive’s employment is terminated by Company within twelve months after a Change in Control (as that term is defined below), other than for Cause (as defined in subsection 7.1 above), Executive shall be entitled to receive the Standard Entitlements and the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2(a) above, provided Executive complies with all the conditions described in subsection 7.2 (b) above.

(b) 280G. If, due to the benefits provided under subsection 7.5(a) above or otherwise by Company, Executive is subject to any excise tax due to characterization of any amounts payable under subsection 7.5(a) as excess parachute payments pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the amounts payable under subsection 7.5(a) or otherwise by Company will be reduced by Company (to the least extent possible) in order to avoid any “excess parachute payment” under section 280G(b)(1) of the Code.

(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities of Company under an employee benefit plan of Company, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d 3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the securities of Company representing more than 50% of (A) the outstanding shares of common stock of Company or (B) the combined voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding securities; or

(ii) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of Company’s assets (or any transaction having similar effect is consummated); or

(iii) Company is party to a merger or consolidation that results in the holders of voting securities of Company outstanding immediately prior thereto failing to continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

7.6 Section 409A Compliance. The parties intend for this Agreement either to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and all applicable guidance promulgated thereunder (together, “Section 409A”) or to be exempt from the application of Section 409A, and this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted accordingly.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, any termination of employment contemplated under this Agreement shall satisfy the applicable requirements of a “separation from service” under Section 409A.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that Executive is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A), any severance payment, severance benefits or other amounts payable under this Agreement that would be subject to the special rule regarding payments to “specified employees” under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code (together, “Specified Employee Payments”) shall not be paid before the expiration of a period of six months following the date of Executive’s termination of employment (or before the date of Executive’s death, if earlier). The Specified Employee Payments to which Executive would otherwise have been entitled during the six-month period following the date of Executive’s termination of employment shall be accumulated and paid as soon as administratively practicable following the first day of the seventh month following the date of Executive’s termination of employment.

(c) To ensure satisfaction of the requirements of Section 409A(b)(3) of the Code, assets shall not be set aside, reserved in a trust or other arrangement, or otherwise restricted for purposes of the payment of amounts payable under this Agreement.

(d) Company hereby informs Executive that the federal, state, local, and/or foreign tax consequences (including without limitation those tax consequences implicated by Section 409A) of this Agreement are complex and subject to change. Executive acknowledges and understands that Executive should consult with his or her own personal tax or financial advisor in connection with this Agreement and its tax consequences. Executive understands and agrees that Company has no obligation and no responsibility to provide Executive with any tax or other legal advice in connection with this Agreement and its tax consequences. Executive agrees that Executive shall bear sole and exclusive responsibility for any and all adverse personal federal, state, local, and/or foreign tax consequences (including without limitation any and all tax liability under Section 409A) of this Agreement.

8. No Conflict of Interest. During the term of Executive’s employment with Company, Executive must not engage in any work, paid or unpaid, that creates an actual conflict of interest with Company. Such work shall include, but is not limited to, directly or indirectly competing with Company in any way, or acting as an officer, director, employee, consultant, stockholder, volunteer, lender, or agent of any business enterprise of the same nature as, or which is in direct competition with, the business in which Company is now engaged or in which Company becomes engaged during the term of Executive’s employment with Company, as may be determined by Company in its sole discretion.

9. Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights. Executive agrees to read, sign and abide by Company’s Non-Disclosure and Invention Agreement, which is provided with this Agreement and incorporated herein by reference.

10. Nonsolicitation. Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement, Executive will not, either directly or indirectly, separately or in association with others, interfere with, impair, disrupt or damage Company’s business by soliciting, encouraging or recruiting any of Company’s employees or causing others to solicit or encourage any of Company’s employees to discontinue their employment with Company

11. Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that Executive’s breach of the covenants contained in sections 8-10 (collectively “Covenants”) would cause irreparable injury to Company and agrees that in the event of any such breach, Company shall be entitled to seek temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting any bond or other security.

12. Agreement to Arbitrate. In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or arising out of the employment relationship between Company and Executive or the termination of that relationship (including, but not limited to, any claims of wrongful termination or age, sex, race, disability or other discrimination), Executive and Company agree that all such disputes shall be fully and finally resolved by binding arbitration conducted before a single neutral arbitrator in San Diego, California pursuant to the rules for arbitration of employment disputes by the American Arbitration Association (available at www.adr.org) and the rules set forth in the California Arbitration Act, Code of Civil Procedure section 1280, et seq. (available on-line at www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html). The arbitrator shall permit adequate discovery, including discovery pursuant to section 1283.05 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. In addition, the arbitrator is empowered to award all remedies otherwise available in a court of competent jurisdiction; however Executive and Company each retain the right under section 1281.8 of the California Code of Civil Procedure to seek provisional remedies. Any judgment rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrator shall issue an award in writing and state the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. By executing this Agreement, Executive and Company are both waiving the right to a jury trial with respect to any such disputes. Company shall bear the costs of the arbitrator, forum and filing fees. Each party shall bear its own respective attorneys’ fees and all other costs, unless otherwise provided by law and awarded by the arbitrator. This arbitration agreement does not include claims that, by law, may not be subject to mandatory arbitration.

13.1 Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations of Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of Company. Executive shall not be entitled to assign any of Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

13.2 Waiver. Either party’s failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.

13.3 Attorneys’ Fees. Each side will bear its own attorneys’ fees in any dispute unless a statutory section at issue, if any, authorizes the award of attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party.

13.4 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to allow enforceability of the provision as so limited, it being intended that the parties shall receive the benefit contemplated herein to the fullest extent permitted by law. If a deemed modification is not satisfactory in the judgment of such arbitrator or court, the unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

13.5 Interpretation; Construction. The headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. This Agreement has been drafted by legal counsel representing Company, but Executive has participated in the negotiation of its terms. Furthermore, Executive acknowledges that Executive has had an opportunity to review and revise the Agreement and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired, and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.

13.6 Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of California. Each party consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts in San Diego, California, if applicable, in any action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

13.7 Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered as follows with notice deemed given as indicated: (a) by personal delivery when delivered personally; (b) by overnight courier upon written verification of receipt; (c) by telecopy or facsimile transmission upon acknowledgment of receipt of electronic transmission; or (d) by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, upon verification of receipt. Notice shall be sent to the addresses set forth below, or such other address as either party may specify in writing.

13.8 Survival. Sections 8 (“No Conflict of Interest”), 9 (“Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights”), 10 (“Nonsolicitation”), 11 (“Injunctive Relief”), 12 (“Agreement to Arbitrate”), 13 (“General Provisions”) and 14 (“Entire Agreement”) of this Agreement shall survive Executive’s employment by Company.

14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Company’s Non-Disclosure and Inventions Agreement incorporated herein by reference and Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and related option documents described in subsection 4.4 of this Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to this subject matter and supersedes all prior or simultaneous representations, discussions, negotiations, and agreements, whether written or oral. This agreement may be amended or modified only with the written consent of Executive and the Board of Directors of Company. No oral waiver, amendment or modification will be effective under any circumstances whatsoever.

THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN. WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN BELOW.

By: /s/ Deirdre Y. Gillespie
Deirdre Y. Gillespie
Chief Executive Officer
6455 Nancy Ridge Road
San Diego, CA 92121


Company Contact:		Media Contacts:

Andrew Wiseman, Ph.D. Sr. Director of Investor Relations La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company 858-646-6615 andrew.wiseman@ljpc.com		Shellie M. Roth President IR Partners, Inc. 973-535-8389 roth@irpartners.com

LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY NAMES NIV CAVIAR CHIEF BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL OFFICER

SAN DIEGO, May 10, 2007 — La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (Nasdaq: LJPC) today announced that Niv E. Caviar has joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Caviar was most recently Vice President and Head of Marketing at Allergan, an $18 billion specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company, where he led all operational and strategic marketing functions for Allergan’s U.S. medical dermatology business, including the therapeutic indications for its lead product, Botox^®. Previously, he served the same company as Vice President of Business Development, responsible for licensing, deal alliance formation and management, and general strategic partnering for Allergan’s ophthalmology, dermatology and neurology business units. During this tenure, he led Allergan’s efforts to establish the existing Botox, Imitrex^® and Amerge^® Neurology Alliance with GlaxoSmithKline.

“We are very excited that Niv is joining our team. The significant business experience he brings from pharma, biotechnology and consulting will add great value to La Jolla as our ongoing Phase 3 study of Riquent^® (abetimus sodium), our drug candidate for systemic lupus erythematosus (“lupus” or “SLE”), moves forward towards potential approval and commercialization,” said Deirdre Y. Gillespie, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company. “Niv is a proven business development executive with strong strategic financial skills and has most recently successfully led all commercial activities for Allergan’s U.S. medical dermatology franchise.”

Dr. Gillespie added, “Niv will have broad responsibilities at La Jolla, including leading our efforts to establish alliances with potential commercial marketing and/or manufacturing partners for Riquent. Niv adds significant commercial experience and capabilities to our team as we plan Riquent’s potential U.S. launch. Furthermore, he will direct the strategic financial aspects of our business along with our current accomplished finance team led by Vice President of Finance, Gail A. Sloan. We believe that La Jolla’s senior management team now has the skills and experience in place to take the Company to the next level.”

From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Caviar was Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Immusol Biopharmaceuticals, a San Diego-based biotechnology company developing drugs to treat infectious diseases and cancer. From 1999 to 2001, he was Director of Corporate Development at Affymetrix, Inc., a $1.8 billion Silicon Valley biotechnology company that develops and markets diagnostic products to assess genomics and gene expression. Prior to Affymetrix, Mr. Caviar was a management consultant in Accenture’s Pharmaceutical and Health Care Strategy practice. During the last ten years, Mr. Caviar negotiated and managed over thirty R&D and commercial life-science transactions including deals with Novartis, GSK, Inspire, Chugai, and Acadia.

Mr. Caviar received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mr. Caviar served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force where he worked as a solid rocket motor engineer and was a project manager for the U.S. Space Command on both the Titan IV Rocket and the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Programs.

Riquent is being developed to specifically treat lupus renal disease by preventing or delaying renal flares, a leading cause of sickness and death in lupus patients. Riquent has been well tolerated in all 13 clinical trials, with no serious Riquent-related side effects identified to date. Riquent’s only known biological activity is the reduction of circulating levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies. Increases in these antibodies are associated with an increased risk of renal flare. Although clinical benefit has not yet been proven, Riquent treatment has significantly reduced these antibody levels in all clinical trials where they were measured. This reduction was most notable in the recent antibody interim analysis of data from the current Phase 3 study, where the reductions were highly significant.

Lupus is a chronic, potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease. About 90% of lupus patients are female, and many are diagnosed with the disease during their childbearing years. Approximately 50% of lupus patients have renal disease, which can lead to irreversible renal damage, renal failure and the need for dialysis, and is a leading cause of death in lupus patients. Latinos, African Americans and Asians face an increased risk of serious renal disease associated with lupus. The current standard of care for lupus renal disease often involves treatment with high doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs that can cause severe side effects including diabetes, hypertension and sterility, and may leave patients vulnerable to opportunistic infections. To date, no lupus specific drug has been approved in the U.S.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company is dedicated to improving and preserving human life by developing innovative pharmaceutical products. The Company’s leading product in development is Riquent^®. The Company has also developed small molecules to treat various other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. The Company’s common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol LJPC. More information about the Company is available on its Web site: http://www.ljpc.com.

The forward-looking statements in this press release involve significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, and a number of factors, both foreseen and unforeseen, could cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Forward-looking statements include those that express a plan, belief, expectation, estimation, anticipation, intent, contingency, future development or similar expression. The analyses of clinical results of Riquent^® (abetimus sodium), previously known as LJP 394, our drug candidate for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), and any other drug candidate that we may develop, including the results of any trials or models that are ongoing or that we may initiate in the future, could result in a finding that these drug candidates are not effective in large patient populations, do not provide a meaningful clinical benefit, or may reveal a potential safety issue requiring us to develop new candidates. The analysis of the data from our previous Phase 3 trial of Riquent showed that the trial did not reach statistical significance with respect to its primary endpoint, time to renal flare, or with respect to its secondary endpoint, time to treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or cyclophosphamide. The results from our clinical trials of Riquent, including the results of any trials that are ongoing or that we may initiate in the future, may not ultimately be sufficient to obtain regulatory clearance to market Riquent either in the United States or any other country, and we may be required to conduct additional clinical studies to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Riquent in order to obtain marketing approval. There can be no assurance, however, that we will have the necessary resources to complete any current or future trials or that any such trials will sufficiently demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Riquent. Our ability to develop and sell our products in the future may be adversely affected by the intellectual property rights of third parties or the validity or enforceability of our intellectual property rights, including the ability of the recently issued European composition of matter patent to survive any opposition proceedings. Additional risk factors include the uncertainty and timing of: obtaining required regulatory approvals, including delays associated with any approvals that we may obtain; the availability of sufficient financial resources, timely supply of drug product for clinical trials; our ability to pass all necessary regulatory inspections; the increase in capacity of our manufacturing capabilities for possible commercialization; successfully marketing and selling our products; our lack of manufacturing, marketing and sales experience; our ability to make use of the orphan drug designation for Riquent; generating future revenue from product sales or other sources such as collaborative relationships; future profitability; and our dependence on patents and other proprietary rights. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements are subject to the risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and in other reports and registration statements that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.


Delaware	0-24274	33-0361285
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

6455 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California		92121
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)


	La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company

May 10, 2007	By:	/s/ Gail A. Sloan

		Name: Gail A. Sloan
		Title: Vice President of Finance and Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)


Exhibit No.		Description

10.1		Executive Employment Agreement, dated May 10, 2007, by and between La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company and Niv E. Caviar
99.1		Press Release issued by La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company on May 10, 2007


Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):		May 10, 2007


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:		(858) 452-6600