Ligand Partner GSK Receives Marketing Authorization from for Additional Revolade Indication as Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C-Associated Thrombocytopenia

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) partner GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK) (NYSE: GSK) announced today that the European Commission has granted an additional indication for Revolade™ (eltrombopag) as a treatment for low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, where the degree of thrombocytopenia is the main factor preventing the initiation or limiting the ability to maintain optimal interferon (IFN)-based therapy.1 Thrombocytopenia may prevent the initiation2 and maintenance of peginterferon (pIFN)-based treatment, thereby reducing a patient's chances of achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR)*3 - the primary goal of hepatitis C treatment. “We are extremely pleased with the decision of the European Commission, See full press release