Company: LGNZZ
Filing Date: 2025-04-22
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000886163-25-000025
Chunk: 0

Company: LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Filing Date: 2025-04-22
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 0
---
### UNITED STATES

### SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

#### WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

#### SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

#### PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF

#### THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
<div align='center'>(Amendment No.__)</div>

Filed by the Registrant ☑

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

| ☐ |     | Preliminary Proxy Statement                                                     |
| ☐ |     | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| þ |     | Definitive Proxy Statement                                                      |
| ☐ |     | Definitive Additional Materials                                                 |
| ☐ |     | Soliciting Material under 240.14a-12                                            |

### LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED

#### Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter
<div align='center'>Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant</div>

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

| þ |     | No fee required.                                                                                    |
| ☐ |     | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials                                                      |
| ☐ |     | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |

### NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
| MEETING DATE         |     | Friday, June 6, 2025       |
|:---------------------|:----|:---------------------------|
| TIME                 |     | 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time)  |
| VIRTUAL MEETING LINK |     | www.meetnow.global/MMSTHKX |
| RECORD DATE          |     | Thursday, April 17, 2025   |

Dear Stockholder:

The annual meeting of stockholders of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Ligand” or the “Company”) will be held on June 6, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Ligand stockholders of record (or their proxy holders) as of the close of business on Thursday, April 17, 2025 (the “Record Date”) will be able to attend and participate in the annual meeting virtually, vote their shares electronically and submit