Exhibit 99.2

                LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY PRESENTS RESULTS
                 LINKING ANTIBODIES TO dsDNA WITH RENAL FLARES

   - FOUR POSTERS PRESENTED AT AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY ANNUAL MEETING -

SAN DIEGO, NOVEMBER 17, 2003 -- La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (Nasdaq: LJPC)
today presented analyses showing statistically significant associations between
changes from baseline in levels of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and
the relative risk of renal flare in both the Phase 2/3 and Phase 3 clinical
trials of Riquent(TM). These results, in studies of approximately 500
patients, were presented at the American Society of Nephrology Annual Meeting
being held November 14-17, 2003 in San Diego, CA.

Analyses of data using Cox's Proportional Hazards Regression Model predict that
a 50% reduction in antibodies to dsDNA from baseline is associated with a 52%
lower risk of renal flare in the Phase 2/3 trial (p=0.0007) and a 53% lower risk
in the Phase 3 trial (p<0.0001). These findings are consistent with previously
released data showing that patients with sustained reductions in antibodies to
dsDNA had fewer renal flares. These results will be submitted as part of the
Company's planned regulatory filings regarding Riquent.

SUMMARY OF FOUR POSTER PRESENTATIONS AT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY:

James Tumlin, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of
Medicine, presented a poster entitled, "Efficacy Results from a Randomized
Controlled Trial of LJP 394 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients with
a History of Renal Disease." The poster summarized data from the Phase 3 trial
of Riquent in which 298 lupus patients with high affinity antibodies to Riquent
at baseline were treated with Riquent or a placebo for up to 22 months.

Dr. Tumlin also presented a poster entitled, "Renal Flare in SLE Patients with
Impaired Renal Function in a Randomized Controlled Trial of LJP 394." This
poster summarized data from a subpopulation of patients in the Phase 3 and Phase
2/3 trials with impaired renal function.

Matthew Linnik, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President of
Research at La Jolla Pharmaceutical, presented a poster entitled, "Reductions in
Anti-dsDNA Antibodies and Reduced Risk of SLE Renal Flare and Major SLE Flare."
This poster presented Cox regression analyses and sustained reduction analyses
on data from the Phase 2/3 and Phase 3 trials.

Daniel Wallace, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.R., Clinical Chief of Rheumatology,
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Clinical Professor, UCLA School of
Medicine, presented an abstract entitled, "Safety Results from a Randomized
Controlled Trial of LJP 394 in SLE Patients with a History of Renal Disease."
The abstract summarized safety data from the Phase 3 trial of Riquent that
showed that Riquent was well tolerated for the duration of the trial in which
patients were treated for periods of up to 22 months.




La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company is a biotechnology company developing
therapeutics for antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases afflicting several
million people in the United States and Europe. The Company is developing
Riquent(TM), formerly known as LJP 394, for the treatment of lupus kidney
disease, a leading cause of sickness and death in patients with lupus. The
Company is also developing LJP 1082 for the treatment of antibody-mediated
thrombosis, a condition in which patients suffer from recurrent stroke,
deep-vein thrombosis and other thrombotic events. The Company's common stock is
traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol LJPC. For more information
about the Company, visit its Web site: http://www.ljpc.com.

Except for historical statements, this press release contains, and the
presentations referred to above contained, forward-looking statements involving
significant risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors, both foreseen and
unforeseen, could cause actual results to differ materially from our current
expectations. Forward-looking statements include those which express a plan,
belief, expectation, estimation, anticipation, intent, contingency, future
development or similar expression. Although we plan to submit a New Drug
Application ("NDA") for Riquent(TM), there is no guarantee that regulatory
authorities will approve Riquent in a timely manner, or at all. Our analyses of
clinical results of Riquent, previously known as LJP 394, our drug candidate for
the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus ("lupus"), and LJP 1082, our drug
candidate for the treatment of antibody-mediated thrombosis ("thrombosis"), are
ongoing and could result in a finding that these drug candidates are not
effective in large patient populations, do not provide a meaningful clinical
benefit, or may reveal a potential safety issue requiring us to develop new
candidates. The analysis of the data from our Phase 3 trial of Riquent has shown
that the trial did not reach statistical significance with respect to its
primary endpoint, time to renal flare. Although we plan to submit an NDA for
Riquent, the results from our clinical trials of Riquent may not ultimately be
sufficient to obtain regulatory clearance to market Riquent either in the U.S.
or Europe, and we may be required to conduct additional clinical studies to
demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Riquent in order to obtain marketing
approval. There is no guarantee, however, that we will have the necessary
resources to complete any additional trial, that we will elect to conduct an
additional trial, or that any additional trial will sufficiently demonstrate the
safety and efficacy of Riquent. Our blood test to measure the binding affinity
for Riquent is experimental, has not been validated by independent laboratories,
may require regulatory approval, and will likely be necessary for the approval
and the commercialization of Riquent. Our other potential drug candidates are at
earlier stages of development and involve comparable risks. Analysis of our
clinical trials could have negative or inconclusive results. Any positive
results observed to date may not be indicative of future results. In any event,
regulatory authorities may require additional clinical trials, or may not
approve our drugs. Our ability to develop and sell our products in the future
may be affected by the intellectual property rights of third parties. Additional
risk factors include the uncertainty and timing of: obtaining required
regulatory approvals, including delays associated with any approvals that we may
obtain; the clear need for additional financing; FDA approval of our
manufacturing facilities and processes; the increase in capacity of our
manufacturing capabilities for possible commercialization; successfully
marketing and selling our products; our lack of manufacturing, marketing, and
sales experience; generating future revenue from




product sales or other sources such as collaborative relationships; future
profitability; and our dependence on patents and other proprietary rights.
Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance upon forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no
obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances occurring after the date hereof. Interested parties are urged to
review the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2002, and in other reports and registration statements that we file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

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