Ligand Pharmaceuticals Acquires Ryjunea Royalty Interest for $23 Million

07:47 AM EDT, 09/22/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) said Tuesday it has acquired a tiered royalty interest in Santen Pharmaceutical's Ryjunea from Sydnexis for an upfront payment of $23 million. Under the deal, Ligand said it will receive a tiered low-double-digit to high-teens royalty on Ryjunea net sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as certain milestone payments. Sydnexis retains commercial rights to Ryjunea in the US and other non-Santen licensed territories, the company said. Ryjunea is approved in the European Union and the UK to slow myopia progression in pediatric patients, Ligand said.