PROMACTA Awarded 2009 Prix Galien for Best Biotechnology Product
SAN DIEGO--
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:LGND) today announced
that PROMACTA(R) (eltrombopag), a drug discovered in collaboration with
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK), was recognized as "Best Biotechnology
Product" by the Prix Galien USA committee on October 1, 2009. The 2009
Prix Galien USA is the pharmaceutical industry's highest R&D accolade
for treatments that could change the course of healthcare worldwide. The
Prix Galien Award recognizes the technical, scientific and clinical
research skills necessary to develop innovative medicines, and is
considered the equivalent to the Nobel Prize.
"We are very proud to see PROMACTA recognized at the highest levels of
our industry," said Ligand Chief Executive Officer John L. Higgins. "The
Prix Galien is a testament to our drug discovery collaboration
partnership with GlaxoSmithKline and Ligand's ability to discover and
develop drugs that will benefit patients worldwide."
About Prix Galien USA
Prix Galien (www.prix-galien-usa.com)
was first established in 1970 by French pharmacist Roland Mehl and was
inaugurated in the United States in September 2007. The Prix Galien USA
awards committee of 11 individuals includes seven Nobel Laureates,
founders of major biotechnology companies and editors of world-renowned
biology journals.
About Ligand Pharmaceuticals
Ligand discovers and develops new drugs that address critical unmet
medical needs of patients with muscle wasting, frailty, hormone-related
diseases, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases, anemia, asthma,
rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Ligand's proprietary drug discovery
and development programs are based on advanced cell-based assays,
gene-expression tools, ultra-high throughput screening and one of the
world's largest combinatorial chemical libraries. Ligand has strategic
alliances with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies,
including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Cephalon, GlaxoSmithKline,
Schering-Plough, Pfizer and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. With nine
pharmaceutical agreements and more than 20 molecules in various stages
of development, Ligand utilizes proprietary technologies for identifying
drugs with novel receptor and enzyme drug targets.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements by Ligand that
involve risks and uncertainties and reflect Ligand's judgment as of the
date of this release. Additional information concerning risk factors
affecting Ligand can be found in prior press releases available at www.ligand.com
as well as in public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, available via www.sec.gov.
Ligand disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements beyond the date of this press release. This
caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Source: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Released October 5, 2009