Exhibit 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated on Form S-3 of our report dated February
22, 2002 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an
explanatory paragraph referring to a change in accounting principle), appearing
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated for the
year ended December 31, 2001 and to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.


/S/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Diego, California
January 10, 2003