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 25,
2003 (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, 2002 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
September 22, 2003