Matthew W. Foehr has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Foehr previously served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. John Higgins, who had been serving as president and chief executive officer, will continue to serve as CEO.
 
Mr. Foehr has more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having managed global operations and various R&D programs. Prior to joining the company in 2011, he was vice president and head of Consumer Dermatology R&D, as well as acting chief scientific officer of Dermatology in the Stiefel division of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Mr. Foehr also served as senior vice president of Global R&D Operations, prior to GSK’s acquisition Stiefel in 2009, and senior vice president of Product Development & Support, and vice president of Global Supply Chain Technical Services.
 
“I am delighted to share with our investors and partners news of Matt’s promotion to president,” said Mr. Higgins. “Matt is an accomplished pharmaceutical executive and a fantastic colleague who has played a critically important role in helping build Ligand over the past several years. He is a perfect fit for our business, driving excellence in operations, managing successful programs with tight financial discipline and having keen vision for how to strategically grow our business. Ligand’s internal team and our partners know Matt for his strong commitment to the customer, untiring energy and sense of humor. His contributions to Ligand over the past four years have been profound.”