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	SEC FILE NUMBER
	CUSIP NUMBER

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 12b-25

NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check one):		þ  Form 10-K o  Form 20-F o  Form 11-K o  Form 10-Q o  Form 10-D o  Form N-SAR o  Form N-CSR
		For Period Ended:		December 31, 2008
		o   Transition Report on Form 10-K
		o   Transition Report on Form 20-F
		o   Transition Report on Form 11-K
		o   Transition Report on Form 10-Q
		o   Transition Report on Form N-SAR
		For the Transition Period Ended:

If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

PART I — REGISTRANT INFORMATION

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company

Full Name of Registrant

Former Name if Applicable

6455 Nancy Ridge Drive

Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

San Diego, CA 92121

City, State and Zip Code

PART II — RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

þ
			(a)		The reason described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense
			(b)		The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR, or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q or subject distribution report on Form 10-D, or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and
			(c)		The accountant’s statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III — NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, 10-D, N-SAR, N-CSR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the prescribed time period.

The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) for the year ended December 31, 2008 cannot be filed on or prior to the prescribed March 16, 2009 due date without unreasonable effort or expense due to a significant event that occurred in February 2009. On February 12, 2009, the Registrant completed the first interim efficacy analysis of its Riquent® Phase 3 ASPEN study and determined that continuing the study was futile. The Registrant is in the process of determining the proper accounting for certain of its Riquent-related assets as of December 31, 2008 as a result of the futility determination. The Report is expected to be filed within the 15 day extension permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SEC 1344 (05-06)		Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

(Attach extra Sheets if Needed)
PART IV — OTHER INFORMATION

(1)

Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification

Gail A. Sloan		858		646-6644
(Name)		(Area Code)		(Telephone Number)

(2)		Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no, identify report(s).
		Yes þ     No o

(3)		Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?
		Yes  o     No  þ

		If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date		March 16, 2009		By		/s/ Gail A. Sloan