# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000886163
**File Stem:** 0001193125-23-030129
**Filing Date:** 2023-2
**Character Count:** 14271
**Document Hash:** 3faaa1f8894a908ab5ddb947373db1fa
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-23-030129.hdr.sgml**: 20230209

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-23-030129

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: SC 13D/A

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 2

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230209

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230209

**SUBJECT COMPANY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001607678
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 461073877
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** SC 13D/A
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 005-88828
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23606699

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9920 PACIFIC HEIGHTS BLVD, SUITE 350
- **CITY:** SAN DIEGO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92121
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 858-704-4660

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9920 PACIFIC HEIGHTS BLVD, SUITE 350
- **CITY:** SAN DIEGO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92121
**FILED BY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000886163
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 770160744
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** SC 13D/A

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 3911 SORRENTO VALLEY BLVD
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 110
- **CITY:** SAN DIEGO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92121
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 858-550-7500

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 3911 SORRENTO VALLEY BLVD
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 110
- **CITY:** SAN DIEGO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92121

------

------

**UNITED STATES** 

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION** 

**Washington, D.C. 20549** 

------

**SCHEDULE 13D** 

**Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934** 

**(Amendment No. 5)\*** 

------

## Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
**(Name of Issuer)** 

**Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share** 

**(Title of Class of Securities)** 

**92686J106** 

**(CUSIP Number)** 

**Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated** 

**3911 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, Suite 110** 

**San Diego, CA 92121** 

**(858) 550-7500** 

***Copy to:***

**Matthew T. Bush, Esq.** 

**Latham & Watkins LLP** 

**12670 High Bluff Drive** 

**San Diego, CA 92130** 

**Telephone: (858) 523-5400** 

**(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)** 

**February 6, 2023** 

**(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)** 

------

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), Rule 13d-1(f) or Rule 13d-1(g), check the following box. ☐

------

*Note*: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

------

\* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

------

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| CUSIP No. 92686J106 | **13D** | Page 1 of 4 pages |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **1** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Names of Reporting Persons<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **2** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) ☐ (b) ☐ |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **3** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SEC Use Only |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **4** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Source of Funds (See Instructions)<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**WC and OO** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **5** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check if disclosure of legal proceedings is required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;☐ |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **6** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Citizenship or Place of Organization<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Delaware** |

---

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **NUMBER OF**<br> **SHARES**<br> **BENEFICIALLY** <br> **OWNED BY**<br> **E**ACH<br> **REPORTING**<br> **PERSON**<br> **WITH** | **7** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Voting Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**0** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **NUMBER OF**<br> **SHARES**<br> **BENEFICIALLY** <br> **OWNED BY**<br> **E**ACH<br> **REPORTING**<br> **PERSON**<br> **WITH** | **8** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Voting Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**6,065,080** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **NUMBER OF**<br> **SHARES**<br> **BENEFICIALLY** <br> **OWNED BY**<br> **E**ACH<br> **REPORTING**<br> **PERSON**<br> **WITH** | **9** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Dispositive Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**0** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **NUMBER OF**<br> **SHARES**<br> **BENEFICIALLY** <br> **OWNED BY**<br> **E**ACH<br> **REPORTING**<br> **PERSON**<br> **WITH** | **10** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Dispositive Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**6,065,080** |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**11** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**6,065,080** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**12** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;☐ |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**13** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**7.9%** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**14** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Type of Reporting Person<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**CO** |

---

------

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| CUSIP No. 92686J106 | **13D** | Page 2 of 4 pages |

---

**Explanatory Note** 

This Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D ("Amendment No. 4") amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 8, 2015 and as previously amended (the "Schedule 13D") by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ("Ligand" or the "Reporting Person"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given in the Schedule 13D.

**Item 2.** Identity and Background. <br>

Item 2 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) This Schedule 13D is being filed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ("Ligand" or the "Reporting Person").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The principal business address of the Reporting Person is 3911 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92121. The principal business addresses of the directors and executive officers of the Reporting Person are set forth in Exhibit 99.1 to this Amendment No. 5.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The principal business of the Reporting Person is developing or acquiring royalty generating assets in the pharmaceutical industry. The principal occupations of the directors and executive officers of the Reporting Person are set forth in Exhibit 99.1 to this Amendment No. 5.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Neither the Reporting Person nor any person listed in Exhibit 99.1 to this Amendment No. 5 has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Neither the Reporting Person nor any person listed in Exhibit 99.1 to this Amendment No. 5 has, during the last five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of which was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or a finding of any violation with respect to such laws.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) The Reporting Person is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Information called for by Items 2 – 6 of this Amendment No. 5 concerning the directors and executive officers of the Reporting Person is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 to this Amendment No. 5.

**Item 5.** **Interest in Securities of the Issuer.** <br>

(a) – (b)

Ligand beneficially owns, in the aggregate, 6,065,080 shares of Common Stock, constituting approximately 7.9% of the Common Stock outstanding, consisting of (i) 5,182,606 shares of Common Stock held directly by Ligand and (ii) 882,474 shares of Common Stock held directly by Metabasis.

------

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| CUSIP No. 92686J106 | **13D** | Page 3 of 4 pages |

---

The aggregate percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by Ligand is based on 76,688,478 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer outstanding on October 15, 2022.

(c) Item 5(c) of the Schedule 13D is amended and supplemented by inserting the following information:

During the past 60 days, Ligand disposed of 650,000 shares of Common Stock, in a series of transactions at prices ranging from $8.08 to $9.425 per share in open market transactions on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Details by date, listing the number of shares of Common Stock disposed of and the weighted average price per share are provided below. The Reporting Person undertakes to provide, upon request by the staff of the SEC, the Issuer, or a security holder of the Issuer, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price for these transactions.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Date** | **Equity Shares**<br>**Disposed Of** | **Weighted<br>Average Price<br>per Share** |
|  January 5, 2023 | 64713 | $8.1374 |
|  January 6, 2023 | 35287 | $8.3266 |
|  February 3, 2023 | 351013 | $9.165 |
|  February 6, 2023 | 198987 | $9.3232 |

---

Except for the transactions disclosed in this Item 5(c), neither the Reporting Person nor any Related Person has effected any transactions in the Common Stock of the Issuer in the past 60 days.

(d) None.

(e) Not applicable.

**Item 7.** **Materials to be Filed as Exhibits** <br>

Item 7 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended to replace Exhibit 99.1 previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 filed herewith.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit<br>Number** | **Description** |
| 99.1 | Information concerning the directors and executive officers of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated |

---

------

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| CUSIP No. 92686J106 | **13D** | Page 4 of 4 pages |

---

**SIGNATURES** 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

**Date**: February 9, 2023

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  **Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated** | **Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated** |
|  By: | /s/ Andrew T. Reardon |
|  Name: | Andrew T. Reardon |
|  Title: | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |

---

## Exhibit 99.1

**Exhibit 99.1** 

**INFORMATION REGARDING THE DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED AND METABASIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.** 

The names and the principal occupations of the current directors and executive officers of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ("Ligand") are set forth below. The business address of each of the individuals named below is 3911 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92121.

During the last five years, none of the individuals has been convicted in any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) or has been a party to any civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body as a result of which such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding violations with respect to such laws.

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Position with**<br> **Ligand** | **Principal**<br> **Occupation** | **Shares of**<br> **Viking**<br> **Therapeutics,**<br> **Inc.**<br> **beneficially**<br> **owned** | **Description of**<br> **any contract,<br>arrangement,**<br> **understanding**<br> **or relationship**<br> **with respect**<br> **to any**<br> **securities of**<br> **Viking**<br> **Therapeutics,**<br> **Inc.** | **Citizenship** |
| John Kozarich, Ph.D. | Chairman | Interim Chief Executive Officer of Curza Global, LLC | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Todd Davis | Chief Executive Officer and Director | Chief Executive Officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Jason Aryeh | Director | Managing General Partner of JALAA Equities, LP | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Nancy Gray, Ph.D | Director | President and CEO of Gordon Research Conferences | 0 | Not applicable | USA |

---

------

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Jason Haas | Director | CFO of Syros Pharmaceuticals | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| John LaMattina, Ph.D | Director | Director at Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Stephen L. Sabba | Director | Director at Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Matthew Korenberg | President and Chief Operating Officer | President and Chief Operating Officer at Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Tavo Espinoza | Chief Financial Officer | Chief Financial Officer at Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Andrew Reardon | Chief Legal Officer | Chief Legal Officer at Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0 | Not applicable | USA |
| Audrey Warfield-Graham | Chief People Officer | Chief People Officer at Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0 | Not applicable | USA |

---