The Client

Ligand is a dynamic, fast-paced public biopharmaceutical organisation focused on creating shareholder value by developing and acquiring royalty revenue-generating assets, while maintaining a lean corporate cost structure to maximise returns to stakeholders.

As part of its growth strategy, Ligand is building capability in the assessment and acquisition of products in development with near-term registration potential, particularly in areas of high unmet need. The company also seeks opportunities in marketed products with scope for label expansion, including new therapeutic indications or market-segment expansion through approaches such as novel delivery formulations.

Ligand has curated one of the most expansive and diverse portfolios in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, generating royalties and milestones from the successful advancement of partnered programmes. Its approved portfolio includes drugs addressing critical medical needs across areas such as cancer, osteoporosis, fungal infections and infectious diseases.

In addition, Ligand’s partners and licensees are advancing clinical programmes targeting conditions including seizure, coma, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, muscle wasting, liver disease and kidney disease.

The Situation

In line with its growth strategy, Ligand was placing greater emphasis on acquiring late-stage clinical royalty assets and investing in late-stage clinical assets through royalty structures. This renewed focus created the need to appoint a VP of Transactions to join the company’s Boston-based investment team.

Working closely with Paul Hadden, Senior Vice President, Investments and Business Development, the successful candidate would be responsible for due diligence, originating, negotiating and closing deals, and broader market analysis.

The role represented an exciting opportunity to join an established but agile organisation, learn from experts in the non-dilutive funding space, and contribute to a business with a proven track record of value creation and raising billions of dollars in capital. The appointment was also central to Ligand’s ambition to create value for both shareholders and patients by maximising existing drug portfolios in areas of high unmet medical need.

RSA was engaged to identify a candidate with the investment judgement, transaction experience and life sciences sector credibility required to operate effectively in Ligand’s high-performing, lean and commercially focused environment.

The Outcome

Ligand appointed Michael Vigilante as Vice President, Investments and Business Development.

Michael brought more than a decade of experience in life sciences investing, company building and transaction advisory. He joined Ligand from Gurnet Point Capital, a life sciences investment firm, where he was a Senior Principal and was integrally involved across a range of investments, including serving on boards of directors.

Prior to Gurnet Point Capital, Michael worked in investment banking at MTS Health Partners, where he specialised in mergers and acquisitions and financings across the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare services sectors.

His appointment strengthened Ligand’s investment and business development capability, supporting the company’s strategic focus on late-stage clinical royalty assets and value-creating transactions.