In 1995, we entered into a research and development collaboration with SmithKline Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline) to use our proprietary expertise to discover and characterize small-molecule, orally bioavailable drugs to control hematopoiesis (the formation and development of blood cells) for the treatment of a variety of blood cell deficiencies.

PROMACTA®

Eltrombopag was given accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the trade name Promacta® in November 2008, for the treatment of chronic ITP in adults who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or following surgical removal of the spleen. It was approved for use in Europe in March 2010 under the trade name Revolade as an oral treatment for thrombocytopenia (reduced platelet count) in adults with the blood disorder chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Eltrombopag is also approved under the trade name Revolade in Japan, Venezuela, Kuwait, Chile and Russia. Eltrombopag was discovered as a result of a research collaboration between GSK and Ligand Pharmaceuticals and developed by GSK.

Clinical Trials:

Two Phase III hepatitis C trials completed full enrollment in the first quarter of 2010
Phase II study in patients with oncology-related thrombocytopenia is ongoing 
Phase I study is in patients with sarcoma receiving the adriamycin and ifosfamide regimen

LGD-4665

In December 2008, Ligand entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with GSK. Pursuant to the terms of the license agreement, we granted GSK the exclusive right to develop, manufacture and commercialize our LGD-4665 product candidate, as well as all other TPO-related molecules discovered by us.

Clinical Trial:

Phase II trial for thrombopoietin receptor agonist