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  <xs:element id="lgnd_OtherPurchasersMember" abstract="true" name="OtherPurchasersMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_XepiMember" abstract="true" name="XepiMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_SatoMember" abstract="true" name="SatoMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AT220ProgramMember" abstract="true" name="AT220ProgramMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AT292ProgramMember" abstract="true" name="AT292ProgramMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ArecorLimitedMember" abstract="true" name="ArecorLimitedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_OtherCommitmentInvestmentAmountMaximum" abstract="false" name="OtherCommitmentInvestmentAmountMaximum" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_OtherCommitmentInvestmentAmountCurrent" abstract="false" name="OtherCommitmentInvestmentAmountCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_FinanceAgreementContractedRoyaltyRevenue" abstract="false" name="FinanceAgreementContractedRoyaltyRevenue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_RoyaltyIncomeRateBaseTier" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyIncomeRateBaseTier" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_RoyaltyIncomeRevenueThreshold" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyIncomeRevenueThreshold" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_RoyaltyIncomeRateUpperTier" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyIncomeRateUpperTier" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AnnualRoyaltyFee" abstract="false" name="AnnualRoyaltyFee" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_PaymentsToAcquireCommonStockAndWarrants" abstract="false" name="PaymentsToAcquireCommonStockAndWarrants" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_EquityIssuanceCost" abstract="false" name="EquityIssuanceCost" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_LoanReceivableConversionPrice" abstract="false" name="LoanReceivableConversionPrice" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:perShareItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AccountsReceivableIssuanceCost" abstract="false" name="AccountsReceivableIssuanceCost" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ConvertibleReceivableEmbeddedConversionValue" abstract="false" name="ConvertibleReceivableEmbeddedConversionValue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ConvertibleReceivableReceivableValue" abstract="false" name="ConvertibleReceivableReceivableValue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AssetAcquisitionDeferredConsiderationPayable" abstract="false" name="AssetAcquisitionDeferredConsiderationPayable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AssetAcquisitionDeferredConsiderationNumberOfInstallments" abstract="false" name="AssetAcquisitionDeferredConsiderationNumberOfInstallments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AssetAcquisitionRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractAssets" abstract="false" name="AssetAcquisitionRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractAssets" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ToleranceTherapeuticsMember" abstract="true" name="ToleranceTherapeuticsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_OhtuvayreInventorsMember" abstract="true" name="OhtuvayreInventorsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ElutiaAndCorMatrixMember" abstract="true" name="ElutiaAndCorMatrixMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AT220Member" abstract="true" name="AT220Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_PrimroseMRNAMember" abstract="true" name="PrimroseMRNAMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_OthersMember" abstract="true" name="OthersMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ZerionMember" abstract="true" name="ZerionMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_FinancialRoyaltyAssetsGross" abstract="false" name="FinancialRoyaltyAssetsGross" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_FinancialRoyaltyAssetsAllowance" abstract="false" name="FinancialRoyaltyAssetsAllowance" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_FinancialRoyaltyAssetsNet" abstract="false" name="FinancialRoyaltyAssetsNet" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_APEIRONMember" abstract="true" name="APEIRONMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ImpairmentLossOnFinancialRoyaltyAssets" abstract="false" name="ImpairmentLossOnFinancialRoyaltyAssets" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractAssets" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractAssets" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ProductRoyaltyPercentage" abstract="false" name="ProductRoyaltyPercentage" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ContingentLiabilitiesMember" abstract="true" name="ContingentLiabilitiesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_CyDexMember" abstract="true" name="CyDexMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_MetabasisMember" abstract="true" name="MetabasisMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_DerivativeAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumerationNotDisclosedFlag" abstract="false" name="DerivativeAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumerationNotDisclosedFlag" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityFairValueDisclosure" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityFairValueDisclosure" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_BusinessCombinationNumberOfContingentValueRightsIssuedPerAcquireeShare" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationNumberOfContingentValueRightsIssuedPerAcquireeShare" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_BusinessCombinationNumberOfContingentValueRightsIssuedFromEachContingentValueRightSeries" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationNumberOfContingentValueRightsIssuedFromEachContingentValueRightSeries" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_NumberOfContingentValueRightsSeries" abstract="false" name="NumberOfContingentValueRightsSeries" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_BusinessCombinationFrequencyOfCashPaymentsToContingentValueRightsHolders" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationFrequencyOfCashPaymentsToContingentValueRightsHolders" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_PaymentsToContingentValueRightHolders" abstract="false" name="PaymentsToContingentValueRightHolders" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_FinancialRoyaltyAssetsFairValueDisclosure" abstract="false" name="FinancialRoyaltyAssetsFairValueDisclosure" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_FinancialRoyaltyAssetMeasurementInput" abstract="false" name="FinancialRoyaltyAssetMeasurementInput" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2031Member" abstract="true" name="ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2031Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2031InitialPurchaseOptionMember" abstract="true" name="ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2031InitialPurchaseOptionMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2030Member" abstract="true" name="ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2030Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2030InitialPurchaseOptionMember" abstract="true" name="ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2030InitialPurchaseOptionMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AmendedCreditAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="AmendedCreditAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_ConvertibleNoteHedgeAndWarrantMember" abstract="true" name="ConvertibleNoteHedgeAndWarrantMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_InitialPurchaserWarrantsMember" abstract="true" name="InitialPurchaserWarrantsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_A2031NotesOptionMember" abstract="true" name="A2031NotesOptionMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis" abstract="true" name="DebtCovenantPeriodAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain" abstract="true" name="DebtCovenantPeriodDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_DebtCovenantInitialPeriodMember" abstract="true" name="DebtCovenantInitialPeriodMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_DebtCovenantSubsequentPeriodMember" abstract="true" name="DebtCovenantSubsequentPeriodMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_DebtCovenantMinimumConsolidatedEBITDA" abstract="false" name="DebtCovenantMinimumConsolidatedEBITDA" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantMinimumConsolidatedEBITDA" abstract="false" name="LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantMinimumConsolidatedEBITDA" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AmendedESPPMember" abstract="true" name="AmendedESPPMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_LigandPharmaceuticalsIncorporated2002StockIncentivePlanMember" abstract="true" name="LigandPharmaceuticalsIncorporated2002StockIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingMember" abstract="true" name="AtTheMarketEquityOfferingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_April2023RepurchaseAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="April2023RepurchaseAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanAbstract" abstract="true" name="EmployeeStockPurchasePlanAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_SaleOfStockAuthorizedOfferingAmount" abstract="false" name="SaleOfStockAuthorizedOfferingAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_USDistrictCourtForTheNorthernDistrictOfOhioMember" abstract="true" name="USDistrictCourtForTheNorthernDistrictOfOhioMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_XOMARoyaltyCorporationMember" abstract="true" name="XOMARoyaltyCorporationMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="lgnd_BusinessAcquisitionContingentValueRightsIssued" abstract="false" name="BusinessAcquisitionContingentValueRightsIssued" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:decimalItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
