SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
(RULE 13d - 102)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO 13d-1(b),
(c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO 13d
(Amendment No.)*
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
-----------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities
53220K207
-----------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)
August 5, 2004
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(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:
[ ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[x] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
*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).
(Continued on the Following Pages)
1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Amaranth LLC
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(a) [ ]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Cayman Islands
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
7,597,354
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
7,597,354
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
See 6 and 8 above.
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
9.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Amaranth Advisors L.L.C.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(a) [ ]
(b) [x]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
7,597,354
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
7,597,354
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
See 6 and 8 above.
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
9.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IA
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Nicholas M. Maounis
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(a) [ ]
(b) [x]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
7,597,354
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
7,597,354
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
See 6 and 8 above.
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
9.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN, HC
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
ITEM 1(a). Name of Issuer:
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Item 1(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
10275 Science Center Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-1117
Item 2(a). Name of Persons Filing:
Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:
Item 2(c). Citizenship:
Amaranth LLC
c/o Amaranth Advisors L.L.C.
One American Lane
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
Cayman Islands company
Amaranth Advisors L.L.C.
One American Lane
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
Delaware limited liability company
Nicholas M. Maounis
c/o Amaranth Advisors L.L.C.
One American Lane
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
U.S. Citizen
Amaranth Advisors L.L.C. is the trading advisor for Amaranth LLC ("Amaranth")
and has been granted investment discretion over portfolio investments, including
the Common Stock (as defined below), held by Amaranth. Maounis is the managing
member of Amaranth Advisors L.L.C. and may, by virtue of his position as
managing member, be deemed to have power to direct the vote and disposition of
the Common Stock held for Amaranth.
Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities
Common Stock, $.001 Par Value ("Common Stock")
Item 2(e). CUSIP Number: 83568G104
Item 3. If This Statement is Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or
(c), Check Whether the Person Filing is a:
(a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the
Exchange Act.
(b) [ ] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act.
(c) [ ] Insurance company defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the
Exchange Act.
(d) [ ] Investment company registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act.
(e) [ ] An investment adviser in accordance with
Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).
(f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in
accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F).
(g) [ ] A parent holding company or control person in
accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).
(h) [ ] A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
(i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition
of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14)
of the Investment Company Act;
(j) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c), check this box [x]
Item 4. Ownership.
Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage
of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.
(a) Amount beneficially owned:
The Reporting Persons beneficially own the Issuer's 6%
debentures which are convertible into an aggregate of
7,597,354 shares of Common Stock.
(b) Percent of class:
9.3%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote
0
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote
See Item 4(a).
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
See Item 4(a).
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof
the Reporting Persons have ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five
percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ]. Not applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
Shareholders of Amaranth indirectly participate in the receipt of dividends
from, and proceeds from the sale of, the Common Stock held for the account of
Amaranth.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
See Item 2 in lieu of an Exhibit.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Certification.
By signing below the undersigned certifies that, to the best of its knowledge
and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held
for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of
the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in
connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or
effect.
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, each of
the undersigned certifies that the information with respect to it set forth in
this statement is true, complete, and correct.
Dated: August 13, 2004
AMARANTH LLC, by Amaranth Advisors L.L.C., as Trading Advisor
By: /s/Nicholas M. Maounis
-------------------------
Nicholas M. Maounis,
Managing Member
AMARANTH ADVISORS L.L.C.
By: /s/Nicholas M. Maounis
-------------------------
Nicholas M. Maounis,
Managing Member
/s/Nicholas M. Maounis
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Nicholas M. Maounis
EXHIBIT A
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
The undersigned hereby agree that the statement on Schedule 13G signed by each
of the undersigned shall be, filed on behalf of each of the undersigned pursuant
to and in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Dated: August 13, 2004
AMARANTH LLC, by Amaranth Advisors L.L.C., as Trading Advisor
By: /s/Nicholas M. Maounis
-------------------------
Nicholas M. Maounis,
Managing Member
AMARANTH ADVISORS L.L.C.
By: /s/Nicholas M. Maounis
-------------------------
Nicholas M. Maounis,
Managing Member
/s/Nicholas M. Maounis
----------------------------------
Nicholas M. Maounis