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Jul 28, 2010

Ligand Acquired Milestone and Royalty Interest in AstraZeneca IL-9 Program for Asthma

Ligand PharmaceuticalsMay 21, 2010 - Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) announced that it has purchased from the Genaera Liquidating Trust certain intellectual property and interests in future milestones and royalties for MEDI-528, an IL-9 antibody program under development by AstraZeneca's subsidiary, MedImmune. MEDI-528 is currently in a 320-patient Phase II study for moderate-to-severe asthma.

MedImmune
Ligand paid $2.75 million to the Genaera Liquidating Trust in connection with the purchase. This opportunity arose from initial diligence and work conducted by Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P. (BVF). As part of this transaction and a result of BVF's contributions, Ligand entered into a separate agreement with BVF and certain of its affiliates, whereby BVF and Ligand will share the purchase price and any proceeds from the deal equally. Accordingly, BVF has paid Ligand $1.375 million... Ligand Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -