Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International (KNSA) vs Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International (KNSA) has outperformed Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) over the past year, gaining 105.6% versus a gain of 59.9%. Over five years, KNSA leads with a +587.8% price change compared with +263.0% for LGND. Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International is the larger company by market cap ($6.13 billion vs $5.87 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Ligand Pharmaceuticals is growing revenue faster (+60.4% vs +60.1%).
On valuation, Ligand Pharmaceuticals trades at a lower forward P/E (24.6x vs 48.6x for Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International). Ligand Pharmaceuticals converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 46.4% versus 8.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | KNSA | LGND |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $78.59 | $294.32 |
| Market cap | $6.13B | $5.87B |
| 1-day change | -0.20% | -0.23% |
| YTD return | +90.91% | +56.03% |
| 1-year return | +105.56% | +59.90% |
| 5-year return | +587.77% | +263.03% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 79.38 | 31.01 |
| Forward P/E | 48.59 | 24.63 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.99 | $9.49 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $677.56M | $268.09M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +60.09% | +60.40% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $59.01M | $124.45M |
| Gross margin | 88.54% | — |
| Operating margin | 11.40% | 15.29% |
| Net margin | 8.71% | 46.42% |
| 52-week high | $82.94 | $326.63 |
| 52-week low | $35.20 | $175.89 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.24% | -9.89% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.70% | +16.97% |
| Average volume | 573.74K | 258.59K |
| Shares outstanding | 48.29M | 19.94M |
| Employees | 366 | 47 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- KNSA has outperformed LGND by 45.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International trades at a higher earnings multiple (79.4x vs 31.0x trailing P/E).
- Ligand Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 46.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.7 cents for Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International.
About Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International
KNSA stock →Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes medical therapies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers ARCALYST, an interleukin-1alpha and 1beta cytokine trap for the treatment of recurrent pericarditis, a chronic autoinflammatory cardiovascular disease and cardiac sarcoidosis.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 366 employees
About Ligand Pharmaceuticals
LGND stock →Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and licenses biopharmaceutical assets worldwide. It offers Pradefovir, Posaconazole, Voriconazole, CAPVAXIVE, NOXAFIL, MenFive, and ZELSUVMI for infectious disease; EVOMELA and KYPROLIS for multiple myeloma; FILSPARI for the treatment of immunoglobulin a nephropathy; PNEUMOSIL, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to help fight against pneumococcal pneumonia in children; and QARZIBA to treat neuroblastoma.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 47 employees
KNSA vs LGND FAQ
Which is bigger, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International or Ligand Pharmaceuticals?
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International (KNSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.13B compared with $5.87B for Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KNSA or LGND?
KNSA returned +105.56% over the past 12 months, compared with +59.90% for LGND (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KNSA or LGND?
LGND has the lower trailing P/E at 31.0, versus 79.4 for KNSA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International and Ligand Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.