Ligand releases details of plan to purchase Pharmacopeia

SAN DIEGO Ligand Pharmaceutical plans to buy New Jersey biotech Pharmacopeia for as much as $70 million, the San Diego drug maker has announced.

Ligand’s shareholders will get an 84 percent stake in the new company, while Pharmacopeia shareholders would get a little more than half a share in Ligand for every Pharmacopeia share they own. That makes the deal worth $1.81 per share.

The deal will probably close in the first three months of next year, depending on regulatory and shareholder approvals.