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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                     FORM 15

CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 12(g) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR SUSPENSION OF DUTY TO FILE REPORTS UNDER
SECTIONS 13 AND 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                                                  Commission File Number 0-25970
                                                                         -------

                   ALLERGAN LIGAND RETINOID THERAPEUTICS, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                   2525 DUPONT DRIVE, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92612
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)


               CALLABLE COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)


                                      NONE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Titles of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file reports 
                     under sections 13(a) or 15(d) remains)


      Please place an X in the box(es) to designate the appropriate rule
provision(s) relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports:

 Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(i)       [X]              Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)           [ ]
 Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii)      [ ]              Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii)          [ ]
 Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)       [ ]              Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)           [ ]
 Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii)      [ ]              Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii)          [ ]
                                            Rule 15d-6                    [ ]

      Approximate number of holders of record as of the certificate or notice 
date:  1
     -----

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has caused this certification/notice to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized person.


Date: November 21, 1997                   By: /S/ WILLIAM L. RESPESS
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             William L. Respess, Secretary

Instruction: This form is required by Rules 12g-4, 12h-3 and 15d-6 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
registrant shall file with the Commission three copies of Form 15, one of which
shall be manually signed. It may be signed by an officer of the registrant, by
counsel or by any other duly authorized person. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall by typed or printed under the signature.