PROTEIN DESIGN LABS INC/DE
S-3/A, 1997-03-10
BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS, (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES)
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 10, 1997.
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-20941
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
    
 
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                           PROTEIN DESIGN LABS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
                   DELAWARE                                     94-3023969
         (State or Other Jurisdiction                        (I.R.S. Employer
      of Incorporation or Organization)                   Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
                               2375 GARCIA AVENUE
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (415) 903-3700
  (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of
                   Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
                             ---------------------
                           DOUGLAS O. EBERSOLE, ESQ.
               VICE PRESIDENT, LICENSING AND CORPORATE SERVICES,
                         GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                           PROTEIN DESIGN LABS, INC.
                               2375 GARCIA AVENUE
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (415) 903-3700
 (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                             of Agent For Service)
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
            GREGORY M. GALLO, ESQ.                       ALAN C. MENDELSON, ESQ.
            DOUGLAS J. REIN, ESQ.                         GREGORY C. SMITH, ESQ.
         GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH                       COOLEY GODWARD LLP
             400 HAMILTON AVENUE                          FIVE PALO ALTO SQUARE
         PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94301                   PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306
                (415) 328-6561                                (415) 843-5000
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  As soon
as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to a dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box.  [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                             ---------------------
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 10, 1997
    
                                2,750,000 SHARES
 
                                   PDL (LOGO)
 
                           PROTEIN DESIGN LABS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
 
    Of the 2,750,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 2,000,000 shares are
being sold by Protein Design Labs, Inc. ("PDL" or the "Company") and 750,000
shares are being sold by a Selling Stockholder. See "Principal and Selling
Stockholders." The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares
by the Selling Stockholder. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "PDLI." On February 14, 1997, the last reported
sale price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $36.63 per
share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
 
        THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================
                                       PRICE        UNDERWRITING    PROCEEDS TO
                                     TO PUBLIC      DISCOUNT(1)    COMPANY(2)(3)    PROCEEDS TO
                                                                                      SELLING
                                                                                    STOCKHOLDER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Per Share.........................        $              $               $               $
Total (3).........................        $              $               $               $
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) See "Underwriting" for information concerning indemnification of the
    Underwriters and other information.
(2) Before deducting expenses of the offering payable by the Company estimated
    at $400,000.
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30
    days of the date hereof, to purchase up to 412,500 additional shares of
    Common Stock at the Price to Public per share, less the Underwriting
    Discount, for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. If the
    Underwriters exercise such option in full, the total Price to Public,
    Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company will be $          ,
    $          and $          , respectively. See "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered severally by the Underwriters when,
as and if
delivered to and accepted by them, subject to their right to withdraw, cancel or
reject orders in whole or in part and subject to certain other conditions. It is
expected that delivery of the certificates representing the shares will be made
against payment on or about           at the office of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.,
Oppenheimer Tower, One World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281.
                            ------------------------
OPPENHEIMER & CO., INC.
                               LEHMAN BROTHERS
                                             PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
 
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1997.
<PAGE>   3
 
                            PRODUCTS IN DEVELOPMENT
 
     The following table summarizes the potential therapeutic indications,
development status and commercial rights for certain of PDL's clinical and
preclinical product candidates and is qualified in its entirety by the more
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The development and
commercialization of the Company's product candidates are subject to numerous
risks and uncertainties. See "Risk Factors."
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC                                       COMMERCIAL
             PRODUCT                       INDICATIONS                 DEVELOPMENT STATUS           RIGHTS
  -----------------------------  --------------------------------    ----------------------    ----------------
  <S>                            <C>                                 <C>                       <C>
                                 Organ transplant rejection          Completed two             Roche
                                                                     Phase III
                                                                     trials (kidney)
  Zenapax (SMART Anti-Tac
    Antibody)
                                 Certain autoimmune diseases
                                 Tropical spastic paraparesis        Phase I/II
                                 Uveitis                             Phase I/II
                                 Psoriasis                           Phase I/II planned
                                 Certain blood cancers               Phase II
                                 Acute myelogenous leukemia          Phase II/III              PDL and Kanebo
                                 Acute promyelocytic leukemia        Phase II
                                 Myeloid leukemia                    Phase I (Japan)
  SMART M195 Antibody
                                 Chronic hepatitis B ("CHB")         Phase II                  PDL, Boehringer
                                 Liver transplantation               Completed Phase I/II      Mannheim and
                                 due to CHB                                                    Novartis
  OST 577 (Human Anti-Hepatitis
    B Antibody)
                                 CMV infections in BMT               Phase II                  PDL, Boehringer
                                                                                               Mannheim and
                                                                                               Novartis
  PROTOVIR (Human Anti-
    Cytomegalovirus Antibody)
                                 Trauma, adult respiratory           Preclinical               PDL and
                                   distress syndrome ("ARDS"),                                 Boehringer
                                   reperfusion injury                                          Mannheim
  SMART Anti-L-Selectin
    Antibody
                                 Stroke, trauma, certain             Preclinical               PDL
                                   autoimmune diseases
                                   (e.g., psoriasis), asthma
  SMART Anti-E/P-Selectin
    Antibody
                                 Organ transplant rejection and      Preclinical               PDL
                                   certain autoimmune diseases
  SMART Anti-CD3 Antibody
                                 Certain autoimmune diseases         Preclinical               PDL
                                   (e.g., inflammatory
                                   bowel disease)
  SMART Anti-Gamma
    Interferon Antibody
                                 B-cell lymphoma                     Preclinical               PDL
  SMART 1D10 Antibody
                                 Certain epithelial cell cancers     Preclinical               PDL and Novartis
                                   including breast, lung
                                   and colon
  SMART ABL 364 Antibody
                                 Shingles (herpes zoster)            Preclinical               PDL and Novartis
  Human Anti-VZV Antibody
                                 Neonatal and genital herpes         Preclinical               PDL and Novartis
  Human Anti-HSV Antibody
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMPANY'S
COMMON STOCK AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS AND OTHER SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMPANY'S COMMON
STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10B-6A UNDER THE
EXCHANGE ACT. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements (including the notes thereto) appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference. Unless
otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus assumes no exercise of
the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters. An investment in the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby involves a high degree of risk.
Prospective investors should consider carefully the information provided under
"Risk Factors."
 
     Protein Design Labs, Inc. ("PDL" or the "Company") is a leader in the
development of humanized and human monoclonal antibodies for the prevention and
treatment of a variety of disease conditions, including autoimmune diseases,
inflammatory conditions, cancers and viral infections. The Company uses
proprietary computer software and other technologies to develop its SMART
humanized antibodies for potential use as effective pharmaceuticals without the
limitations of mouse-derived (murine) antibodies. PDL believes that its
technologies are broadly applicable to a variety of diseases, as demonstrated by
the Company's diverse product development pipeline and its collaborative
arrangements with eight pharmaceutical companies. The Company and its
collaborative partners currently have four product candidates in multiple
clinical trials and numerous additional product candidates in preclinical
studies. The Company's most advanced potential product, Zenapax, has
successfully completed two multinational Phase III clinical trials for the
prevention of kidney transplant rejection. In 1996, PDL received U.S. and
European patents that the Company believes cover most humanized antibodies, and
that may lead to additional corporate partnering, patent licensing and other
revenue opportunities.
 
     The Company's four compounds in clinical development are as follows:
 
     Zenapax (SMART Anti-Tac Antibody).  Zenapax is a humanized antibody
developed for the prevention of organ transplant rejection and the potential
treatment of certain autoimmune diseases and cancers. The Company has licensed
to Roche exclusive worldwide marketing rights to Zenapax. In addition to bearing
all development costs for Zenapax, Roche has provided PDL $19.5 million in
licensing fees, milestone payments, research funding and equity investments. In
two multinational Phase III clinical trials conducted by Roche, Zenapax, in
conjunction with standard immunosuppressive therapies, reduced the incidence of
rejection episodes in kidney transplant recipients by 37% and 40%, respectively,
compared to standard therapies alone. Roche has stated that it plans to file in
the first half of 1997 for approval to market Zenapax in the U.S., Canada and
Europe. In addition, the Company believes that Zenapax may have potential to
treat certain autoimmune diseases. Proof-of-concept clinical trials have
commenced for uveitis and are planned for psoriasis.
 
     SMART M195 Antibody.  SMART M195 is a humanized antibody developed for the
treatment of myeloid leukemia, the most prevalent form of leukemia in adults.
SMART M195 currently is in a Phase II/III trial for the treatment of acute
myelogenous leukemia ("AML") in combination with conventional chemotherapy, and
a separate Phase II trial for acute promyelocytic leukemia ("APL"), a subtype of
AML.
 
     OST 577 (Human Anti-Hepatitis B Antibody).  OST 577 is a fully human
antibody for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B ("CHB"). OST 577 has completed
Phase I/II trials in patients with CHB and in patients undergoing liver
transplantation for end-stage liver disease due to CHB. A Phase II trial in CHB
patients is being conducted by the Company's collaborative partner Boehringer
Mannheim, which has licensed development and marketing rights to this product
candidate outside of North America, and a Phase II/III trial in liver transplant
patients is being designed. In addition to sharing in product development costs,
Boehringer Mannheim has provided PDL $117 million in equity investments, license
fees, milestone payments and research and development funding for this and other
products.
 
     PROTOVIR (Human Anti-Cytomegalovirus Antibody).  PROTOVIR is a fully human
antibody in a Phase II clinical trial for the prevention of cytomegalovirus
("CMV") infections in bone marrow transplant ("BMT") recipients, for which
patient accrual has been completed.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     PDL's business strategy is to leverage its technologies, research expertise
and intellectual property in the field of antibodies to become a profitable,
research-based biopharmaceutical company that manufactures and, in North
America, markets its own products. Key aspects of PDL's strategy are to: (i)
expand the Company's product portfolio to provide multiple product candidates to
treat a variety of diseases and conditions; (ii) establish collaborative
relationships with pharmaceutical companies to reduce development costs and
risks and to enhance commercial opportunities; (iii) leverage its patent
position by licensing certain rights in exchange for near-term revenues and
future royalty opportunities; and (iv) retain and obtain North American
marketing or co-promotion rights to certain products to provide for greater
revenue opportunities.
 
     The Company actively seeks partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. The
breadth of the Company's antibody technology and its patent position are key
assets in attracting other companies to enter into such collaborative
relationships with the Company. In one type of collaborative arrangement, the
Company licenses certain marketing rights to one or more potential products
developed by PDL in return for a licensing fee, research funding and milestone
payments, and royalties on potential product sales. In another type of
arrangement, PDL uses its proprietary technology to develop a SMART antibody
based on a promising murine antibody developed by its corporate partner. In such
cases, PDL typically receives a licensing fee and other payments, royalties on
potential sales and, in some cases, an option to co-promote in North America.
 
     The following table lists the Company's collaborative relationships. For
additional information concerning these arrangements, see
"Business -- Collaborative and Licensing Arrangements."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR
          PARTNER                  POTENTIAL PRODUCTS       INITIATED        RIGHTS OF PARTNER
- ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------   ----------------------------
<S>                           <C>                           <C>         <C>
Roche                         Zenapax                          1989     Worldwide
Novartis                      SMART ABL 364 Antibody           1990     Co-promotion worldwide
                              Human anti-viral antibodies      1993     Certain co-promotion rights
Yamanouchi                    SMART Anti-Platelet Antibody     1991     Worldwide
Kanebo                        SMART M195 Antibody              1992     Asia
Boehringer Mannheim           OST 577                          1993     Rights in various geographic
                              PROTOVIR                                   regions outside North
                              SMART Anti-L-Selectin                      America
                              Antibody
Mochida                       SMART antibody for certain       1995     Worldwide; PDL has option to
                                infectious diseases                      co-promote in North America
Japanese collaborator         SMART antibody for cancer        1996     Worldwide; PDL has option to
                                and certain other diseases               co-promote in North America
Roche                         SMART antibody for               1996     Worldwide
                                rheumatoid arthritis
Genetics Institute            SMART antibodies for             1996     Worldwide; PDL has option to
  (a subsidiary of              autoimmune diseases                      co-promote in North America
  American Home Products)
</TABLE>
 
     The Company was incorporated in Delaware in July 1986. The Company's
executive offices are located at 2375 Garcia Avenue, Mountain View, California
94043 and its telephone number at that location is (415) 903-3700.
 
     Protein Design Labs, the PDL logo and PROTOVIR are registered trademarks of
the Company, and SMART is a trademark of the Company. Zenapax and CellCept are
registered U.S. trademarks of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. All other company names and
trademarks included in this Prospectus are trademarks, registered trademarks or
trade names of their respective owners.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Common Stock offered by the
Company..........................    2,000,000 shares
 
Common Stock offered by the
Selling Stockholder..............    750,000 shares
 
Common Stock to be outstanding
after the offering...............    17,759,089 shares(1)
 
Use of proceeds..................    Working capital and general corporate
                                     purposes; manufacturing, preclinical and
                                     clinical development; research activities,
                                     including investigation of new
                                     technologies; leasing or acquiring
                                     additional facilities; and potential
                                     acquisition of complementary technologies,
                                     product candidates or companies. See "Use
                                     of Proceeds."
 
Nasdaq National Market
  symbol.........................    PDLI
 
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                   -----------------------------------------------
                                                    1992     1993      1994      1995       1996
                                                   ------   -------   -------   -------   --------
<S>                                                <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total revenues...................................  $8,385   $16,800   $15,209   $17,613   $ 22,600
Total costs and expenses.........................   9,305    22,732    20,425    25,967     34,396
                                                   ------   -------   -------   -------   --------
Net loss.........................................  $ (920)  $(5,932)  $(5,216)  $(8,354)  $(11,796)
                                                   ======   =======   =======   =======   ========
Net loss per share...............................  $(0.07)  $ (0.47)  $ (0.37)  $ (0.54)  $  (0.76)
                                                   ======   =======   =======   =======   ========
Common shares used in computation of net loss per
  share..........................................  12,491    12,747    14,060    15,343     15,604
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                        -------------------------
                                                                         ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                                        --------   --------------
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and investments................................  $ 99,667      $168,488
Working capital.......................................................    74,221       143,042
Total assets..........................................................   110,331       179,152
Accumulated deficit...................................................   (35,507)      (35,507)
Total stockholders' equity............................................   105,112       173,933
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Based on shares outstanding as of December 31, 1996. Excludes options
     outstanding at December 31, 1996, to purchase 1,941,432 shares at a
     weighted average exercise price of $18.44, of which options to purchase
     774,813 shares were then exercisable.
(2) As adjusted to give effect to the sale by the Company of 2,000,000 shares of
     Common Stock being offered hereby at an assumed public offering price of
     $36.63 per share and the application of the estimated net proceeds
     therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
     This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause
such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors" as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the shares of Common Stock offered hereby is speculative
in nature and involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other
information contained in the Prospectus, the following factors should be
considered carefully in evaluating the Company and its business before
purchasing the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements. Discussions containing such forward-looking
statements may be found in the material set forth under "Risk Factors,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and "Business" as well as in the Prospectus generally. Actual events
or results may differ materially from those discussed in this Prospectus.
 
     HISTORY OF LOSSES; FUTURE PROFITABILITY UNCERTAIN.  The Company has a
history of operating losses and expects to incur substantial additional expenses
with resulting quarterly losses over at least the next several years as it
continues to develop its potential products and to devote significant resources
to preclinical studies, clinical trials, and manufacturing. As of December 31,
1996, the Company had accumulated net losses of approximately $35.5 million. To
date, the Company has not received regulatory approval to distribute any
products. The time and resource commitment required to achieve market success
for any individual product is extensive and uncertain and in some cases
controlled by the Company's collaborators. No assurance can be given that the
Company's, or any of its collaborative partners', product development efforts
will be successful, that required regulatory approvals can be obtained, that
potential products can be manufactured at an acceptable cost and with
appropriate quality, or that any approved products can be successfully marketed.
 
     The Company has not generated any material revenues from product sales or
royalties from licenses to the Company's technology, and potential products that
may be marketed by the Company, if any, are not expected to be approved for
marketing for at least the next several years. The Company's revenues to date
have consisted, and for the near future are expected to consist, principally of
research and development funding, licensing and signing fees and milestone
payments from pharmaceutical companies under collaborative research and
development agreements. These revenues may vary considerably from quarter to
quarter and from year to year, and revenues in any period may not be predictive
of revenues in any subsequent period, and variations may be significant
depending on the terms of the particular agreements. In particular, revenues for
the fourth quarter of 1996, which included several non-recurring payments in
connection with new licensing agreements, may not be indicative of revenues in
future quarters. While the Company historically has received significant revenue
pursuant to certain of its collaborations, the Company has recognized
substantially all of the research and development and milestone revenue due
under these collaborations. Although the Company anticipates entering into new
collaborations from time to time, the Company presently does not anticipate
realizing non-royalty revenue from its new and proposed collaborations at levels
commensurate with the revenue historically recognized under its older
collaborations. Moreover, the Company anticipates that its operating expenses
will continue to increase significantly as the Company increases its research
and development, manufacturing, preclinical, clinical, administrative and patent
activities. Accordingly, in the absence of substantial revenues from new
corporate collaborations, royalties on Zenapax sales or other sources, the
Company expects to incur substantial and increased operating losses in the
foreseeable future as certain of its earlier stage potential products move into
later stage clinical development, as additional potential products are selected
as clinical candidates for further development, as the Company invests in
additional manufacturing facilities or capacity, as the Company defends or
prosecutes its patents and patent applications, and as the Company invests in
research or acquires additional technologies, product candidates or businesses.
The amount of net losses and the time required to reach sustained profitability
are highly uncertain. To achieve sustained profitable operations, the Company,
alone or with its collaborative partners, must successfully discover, develop,
manufacture, obtain regulatory approvals for and market its potential products.
No assurances can be given that the Company will be able to achieve or sustain
profitability, and results are expected to fluctuate from quarter to quarter.
 
     UNCERTAINTY OF CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS.  Before obtaining regulatory
approval for the commercial sale of any of its potential products, the Company
must demonstrate through preclinical studies and clinical trials that the
product is safe and efficacious for use in the clinical indication for which
approval is sought. There can be no assurance that the Company will be permitted
to undertake or continue clinical trials for any of its potential products or,
if permitted, that such products will be demonstrated to be safe and
efficacious. Moreover, the
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
results from preclinical studies and early clinical trials may not be predictive
of results that will be obtained in later-stage clinical trials. Thus there can
be no assurance that the Company's present or future clinical trials will
demonstrate the safety and efficacy of any potential products or will result in
approval to market products.
 
     In advanced clinical development, numerous factors may be involved that may
lead to different results in larger, later-stage trials from those obtained in
earlier stage trials. For example, early stage trials usually involve a small
number of patients and thus may not accurately predict the actual results
regarding safety and efficacy that may be demonstrated with a large number of
patients in a later-stage trial. Also, differences in the clinical trial design
between an early-stage and late-stage trial may cause different results
regarding the safety and efficacy of a product to be obtained. In addition, many
early stage trials are unblinded and based on qualitative evaluations by
clinicians involved in the performance of the trial, whereas later stage trials
are generally required to be blinded in order to provide more objective data for
assessing the safety and efficacy of the product. The Company may at times elect
to aggressively enter potential products into Phase I/II trials to determine
preliminary efficacy in specific indications. In addition, in certain cases the
Company has commenced clinical trials without conducting preclinical animal
testing where an appropriate animal model does not exist. Similarly, the Company
or its partners at times will conduct potentially pivotal Phase II/III or Phase
III trials based on limited Phase I or Phase I/II data. As a result of these and
other factors, the Company anticipates that only some of its potential products
will show efficacy in clinical trials and that the number of products that fail
to show efficacy may be significant.
 
     The Company is conducting a Phase II trial evaluating PROTOVIR for the
prevention of CMV infections in bone marrow transplant recipients based on very
limited and inconclusive data from Phase I trials primarily designed to obtain
safety data. Thus, there can be no assurance that the results of this trial will
be favorable.
 
     The Company and a number of other companies in the biotechnology industry
have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after
promising results in earlier-stage trials. For example, in June 1995, Roche
Holding Ltd and its subsidiary Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. ("Roche") and the Company
announced the results of a Phase II/III clinical trial using the Company's SMART
Anti-Tac Antibody, Zenapax, for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease
("GvHD"). The analysis of this data led Roche to conclude that Zenapax was not
effective in reducing the incidence of GvHD in the patient population studied.
In addition, in August 1996, the Company announced the halt of a Phase II/III
clinical trial using PROTOVIR for treatment of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients
conducted by the National Eye Institute ("NEI SOCA") due to lack of evidence of
efficacy. Based on the findings and actions in the above study, enrollment in a
Phase II clinical trial for treatment of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients
conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease ("NIAID
ACTG") had been suspended, and the trial was recently terminated.
 
     DEPENDENCE ON COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS.  The Company has collaborative
agreements with several pharmaceutical companies to develop, manufacture and
market certain potential products, which include the most advanced products
under development by the Company. The Company granted to its collaborative
partners certain exclusive rights to commercialize the products covered by these
collaborative agreements. In some cases, the Company is relying on its
collaborative partners to conduct clinical trials, to compile and analyze the
data received from such trials, to obtain regulatory approvals and, if approved,
to manufacture and market these licensed products, including Zenapax and the
Company's Human Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Antibody (OST 577). As a result, the
Company often has little or no control over the development of these potential
products and little or no opportunity to review clinical data prior to or
following public announcement.
 
     The Company's collaborative research agreements are generally terminable by
its partners on short notice. Suspension or termination of certain of the
Company's current collaborative research agreements could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operations and could significantly delay the
development of the affected products. Continued funding and participation by
collaborative partners will depend not only on the timely achievement of
research and development objectives by the Company and the successful
achievement of clinical trial goals, neither of which can be assured, but also
on each collaborative partner's own financial, competitive, marketing and
strategic considerations. Such considerations include, among other
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
things, the commitment of management of the collaborative partners to the
continued development of the licensed products, the relationships among the
individuals responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the
collaborative efforts, the relative advantages of alternative products being
marketed or developed by the collaborators or by others, including their
relative patent and proprietary technology positions, and their ability to
manufacture potential products successfully. In this regard, the Company has, at
times, experienced difficulty in its continuing relationship with Boehringer
Mannheim GmbH ("Boehringer Mannheim") due to a number of factors, including
disagreements regarding the timing of the initiation and design of certain
proposed clinical trials involving the development of certain products licensed
to Boehringer Mannheim, particularly OST 577.
 
     In addition, certain collaborative partners have developed and may be
developing competitive products that may result in delay or a relatively smaller
resource commitment to product launch and support efforts than might otherwise
be obtained if the potentially competitive product were not under development or
being marketed. For example, Roche controls the development of Zenapax, the most
advanced of the Company's products in development, and the Company is dependent
upon the resources and activities of Roche to pursue commercialization of
Zenapax in order for the Company to achieve milestones or royalties from the
development of this product. There can be no assurance that Roche will proceed
to bring this product to market in a rapid and timely manner, if at all, or if
marketed, that other independently developed products of Roche (including its
recently introduced product CellCept) or others will not compete with or prevent
Zenapax from achieving meaningful sales. Also Roche has stated that it plans to
conduct or support other clinical trials of Zenapax in autoimmune indications.
There can be no assurance that Roche will continue or pursue additional clinical
trials in these indications or that, even if the additional clinical trials are
completed, Zenapax will be shown to be safe and efficacious, or that the trials
will result in approval to market Zenapax in these indications. Any adverse
event or announcement related to Zenapax would have a material adverse effect on
the business and financial condition of the Company.
 
     Further, because the Company expects, in some cases, to rely on its
contractual rights to access data collected by its collaborative partners in
various phases of its clinical development efforts, the Company is dependent on
the continued satisfaction by such parties of their contractual obligations to
provide such access and cooperate with the Company in the preparation and
submission of appropriate filings with the FDA and equivalent foreign government
regulatory agencies. The Company currently relies on Boehringer Mannheim for the
manufacturing and clinical development of OST 577. Boehringer Mannheim has
marketing rights to this antibody in countries outside of North America. There
can be no assurance that Boehringer Mannheim will provide timely access to the
manufacturing and clinical data, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
("FDA") will permit the Company to rely on that data or that the trials
conducted by Boehringer Mannheim will produce data appropriate for approval by
the FDA. If the Company were unable to rely on the clinical data collected by
Boehringer Mannheim or its other collaborative partners, the Company may be
required to repeat clinical trials or perform supplemental clinical trials in
order to achieve regulatory approval in North America. Compliance with these
requirements could significantly delay commercialization efforts and require
substantially greater investment by the Company, either of which would have a
material adverse effect on the business and financial condition of the Company.
 
     The Company's ability to enter into new collaborations and the willingness
of the Company's existing collaborators to continue development of the Company's
potential products is dependent upon, among other things, the Company's patent
position with respect to such products. In this regard, the Company recently was
issued patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") and European
Patent Office ("EPO") with claims that the Company believes, based on its survey
of the scientific literature, cover most humanized antibodies. Eighteen notices
of opposition to the European patent have been filed with the EPO, and either or
both patents may be further challenged through administrative or judicial
proceedings. The Company has applied for similar patents in Japan and other
countries. The Company recently entered into several new collaborations related
to the humanization of certain antibodies whereby it granted nonexclusive
licenses to its patent rights relating to such antibodies, and the Company
anticipates entering into additional collaborations partially as a result of the
Company's patent and patent applications with respect to humanized antibodies.
As a result, the inability of the Company to successfully defend the opposition
proceeding before the EPO or, if necessary, to defend patents granted by the PTO
or EPO or to successfully prosecute the corresponding patent
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
applications in Japan or other countries could adversely affect the ability of
the Company to enter into additional collaborations and could therefore have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial condition.
 
     LIMITED EXPERIENCE WITH CLINICAL TRIALS; RISK OF DELAY.  The Company has
conducted only a limited number of clinical trials to date. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to successfully commence and complete
all of its planned clinical trials without significant additional resources and
expertise. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will meet its
contemplated development schedule for any of its potential products. The
inability of the Company or its collaborative partners to commence or continue
clinical trials as currently planned, to complete the clinical trials on a
timely basis or to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its potential
products, would have a material adverse effect on the business and financial
condition of the Company.
 
     The rate of completion of the Company's or its collaborators' clinical
trials is significantly dependent upon, among other factors, the rate of patient
enrollment. Patient enrollment is a function of many factors, including, among
others, the size of the patient population, perceived risks and benefits of the
drug under study, availability of competing therapies, access to reimbursement
from insurance companies or government sources, design of the protocol,
proximity of and access by patients to clinical sites, patient referral
practices, eligibility criteria for the study in question and efforts of the
sponsor of and clinical sites involved in the trial to facilitate timely
enrollment in the trial. Delays in the planned rate of patient enrollment may
result in increased costs and expenses in completion of the trial or may require
the Company to undertake additional studies in order to obtain regulatory
approval if the applicable standard of care changes in the therapeutic
indication under study. For example, patient accrual in the Company's ongoing
Phase II/III trial of the SMART M195 Antibody in myeloid leukemia has been
negatively affected by changes in referral patterns, with such patients now more
commonly being treated in local hospitals rather than being referred to tertiary
care hospitals where the Company's trial is being conducted. There can be no
assurance that any actions by the Company to accelerate accrual in this trial
will be successful or, to the extent that they involve modifications in the
design of the trial, will not cause that trial to be considered a Phase II
clinical trial and thereby require one or more additional potentially pivotal
trials to be conducted.
 
     UNCERTAINTY OF PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY; OPPOSITION
PROCEEDINGS.  The Company's success is significantly dependent on its ability to
obtain patent protection for its products and technologies and to preserve its
trade secrets and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third
parties. PDL files and prosecutes patent applications to protect its inventions.
No assurance can be given that the Company's pending patent applications will
result in the issuance of patents or that any patents will provide competitive
advantages or will not be invalidated or circumvented by its competitors.
Moreover, no assurance can be given that patents are not issued to, or patent
applications have not been filed by, other companies which would have an adverse
effect on the Company's ability to use, manufacture or market its products or
maintain its competitive position with respect to its products. Other companies
obtaining patents claiming products or processes useful to the Company may bring
infringement actions against the Company. As a result, the Company may be
required to obtain licenses from others or not be able to use, manufacture or
market its products. Such licenses may not be available on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all.
 
     Patents in the U.S. are issued to the party that is first to invent the
claimed invention. Since patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in
secrecy until patents issue, PDL cannot be certain that it was the first
inventor of the inventions covered by its pending patent applications or that it
was the first to file patent applications for such inventions.
 
   
     The patent positions of biotechnology firms generally are highly uncertain
and involve complex legal and factual questions. No consistent policy has
emerged regarding the validity and scope of claims in biotechnology patents, and
courts have issued varying interpretations in the recent past, and legal
standards concerning validity, scope and interpretation of claims in
biotechnology patents may continue to evolve. Even issued patents may later be
modified or revoked by the PTO, EPO or the courts in proceedings instituted by
third parties. Moreover, the issuance of a patent in one country does not assure
the issuance of a patent with similar claims in another country and claim
interpretation and infringement laws vary among countries, so the extent of any
patent protection is uncertain and may vary in different countries.
    
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
     PDL has several patents and has exclusively licensed certain patents from
Novartis. In particular with respect to humanization technology, in June 1996,
PDL was issued a U.S. patent covering Zenapax and certain related antibodies
against the IL-2 receptor. In addition, PDL is currently prosecuting other
patent applications with the PTO and in other countries, including members of
the European Patent Convention, Canada, Japan and Australia. The patent
applications are directed to various aspects of PDL's SMART and human
antibodies, antibody technology and other programs, and include claims relating
to compositions of matter, methods of preparation and use of a number of PDL's
compounds. However, PDL does not know whether any pending applications will
result in the issuance of patents or whether such patents will provide
protection of commercial significance. Further, there can be no assurance that
PDL's patents will prevent others from developing competitive products using
related technology.
 
     In January and December 1996, PDL was issued patents by the EPO and PTO,
respectively. PDL believes the patent claims cover Zenapax and, based on its
review of the scientific literature, most humanized antibodies. The EPO (but not
PTO) procedures provide for a nine-month opposition period in which other
parties may submit arguments as to why the patent was incorrectly granted and
should be withdrawn or limited. The entire opposition process, including
appeals, may take several years to complete, and during this lengthy process,
the validity of the EPO patent will be at issue, which may limit the Company's
ability to negotiate or collect royalties or to negotiate future collaborative
research and development agreements based on this patent. Eighteen notices of
opposition to PDL's European patent were filed during the opposition period,
including oppositions by major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which
cited references and made arguments not considered by the EPO and PTO before
grant of the respective patents. The oppositions currently are being reviewed by
the Company's patent counsel. PDL intends to vigorously defend the European and,
if necessary, the U.S. patent; however, there can be no assurance that the
Company will prevail in the opposition proceedings or any litigation contesting
the validity or scope of these patents. In addition, such proceedings or
litigation, or any other proceedings or litigation to protect the Company's
intellectual property rights or defend against infringement claims by others,
could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's time and
attention, which could have a material adverse effect on the business and
financial condition of the Company.
 
     A number of companies, universities and research institutions have filed
patent applications or received patents in the areas of antibodies and other
fields relating to PDL's programs. Some of these applications or patents may be
competitive with PDL's applications or contain claims that conflict with those
made under PDL's patent applications or patents. Such conflict could prevent
issuance of patents to PDL, provoke an interference with PDL's patents or result
in a significant reduction in the scope or invalidation of PDL's patents, if
issued. An interference is an administrative proceeding conducted by the PTO to
determine the priority of invention and other matters relating to the decision
to grant patents. Moreover, if patents are held by or issued to other parties
that contain claims relating to PDL's products or processes, and such claims are
ultimately determined to be valid, no assurance can be given that PDL would be
able to obtain licenses to these patents at a reasonable cost, if at all, or to
develop or obtain alternative technology.
 
     The Company is aware that Celltech Limited ("Celltech") has been granted a
patent by the EPO covering certain humanized antibodies, which PDL has opposed,
and Celltech has announced that it has received a notice of allowance of a
corresponding U.S. patent (the "U.S. Adair Patent") and expects the patent to
issue in early 1997. Because U.S. patent applications are maintained in secrecy,
PDL cannot review the scope of the claims in the U.S. Adair Patent. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance that such claims would not cover any of PDL's SMART
antibodies or be competitive with or conflict with claims in PDL's patents or
patent applications. If the U.S. Adair Patent issues and if it is determined to
be valid and to cover any of PDL's SMART antibodies, there can be no assurance
that PDL would be able to obtain a license on commercially reasonable terms, if
at all. If the claims of the U.S. Adair Patent conflict with claims in PDL's
patents or patent applications, there can be no assurance that an interference
would not be declared by the PTO, which could take several years to resolve and
could involve significant expense to the Company. Also, such conflict could
prevent issuance of patents to PDL relating to humanization of antibodies or
result in a significant reduction in the scope or invalidation of PDL's patents,
if issued. Moreover, uncertainty as to the validity or scope of patents issued
to PDL relating generally to humanization of antibodies may limit the
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
Company's ability to negotiate or collect royalties or to negotiate future
collaborative research and development agreements based on these patents.
 
     PDL has obtained a nonexclusive license under a patent held by Celltech
(the "Boss Patent") relating to PDL's current process for producing SMART and
human antibodies. An interference proceeding was declared in early 1991 by the
PTO between the Boss Patent and a patent application filed by Genentech, Inc.
("Genentech") to which PDL does not have a license. PDL is not a party to this
proceeding, and the timing and outcome of the proceeding or the scope of any
patent that may be subsequently issued cannot be predicted. If the Genentech
patent application were held to have priority over the Boss Patent, and if it
were determined that PDL's processes and products were covered by a patent
issuing from such patent application, PDL may be required to obtain a license
under such patent or to significantly alter its processes or products. There can
be no assurance that PDL would be able to successfully alter its processes or
products to avoid infringing such patent or to obtain such a license on
commercially reasonable terms, if at all, and the failure to do so could have a
material adverse effect on PDL.
 
     The Company is aware that Lonza Biologics, Inc. has a patent issued in
Europe to which PDL does not have a license (although Roche has advised the
Company that it has a license covering Zenapax), which may cover the process the
Company uses to produce its potential products. If it were determined that PDL's
processes were covered by such patent, PDL may be required to obtain a license
under such patent or to significantly alter its processes or products, if
necessary to manufacture or import its products in Europe. There can be no
assurance that PDL would be able to successfully alter its processes or products
to avoid infringing such patent or to obtain such a license on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all, and the failure to do so could have a material
adverse effect on the business and financial condition of the Company.
 
     Also, Genentech has patents in the U.S. and Europe that relate to chimeric
antibodies. The European patent is currently in the opposition process. If
Genentech were to assert that the Company's SMART antibodies infringe these
patents, PDL may have to choose whether to seek a license or to challenge in
court the validity of such patents or Genentech's claim of infringement. There
can be no assurance that PDL would be successful in either obtaining such a
license on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, or that it would be
successful in such a challenge of the Genentech patents, and the failure to do
so would have a material adverse effect on the business and financial condition
of the Company.
 
     In addition to seeking the protection of patents and licenses, PDL also
relies upon trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological innovation
which it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with
employees, consultants, suppliers and licensees. There can be no assurance that
these agreements will not be breached, that PDL would have adequate remedies for
any breach or that PDL's trade secrets will not otherwise become known or
independently developed by competitors.
 
     ABSENCE OF MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE; DEPENDENCE ON MANUFACTURING BY
BOEHRINGER MANNHEIM.  Of the products developed by the Company which are
currently in clinical development, Roche is responsible for manufacturing
Zenapax and Boehringer Mannheim is responsible for manufacturing OST 577. The
Company intends to manufacture the SMART M195 Antibody, PROTOVIR and some of its
other products in preclinical development. PDL currently leases approximately
45,000 square feet housing its manufacturing facility in Plymouth, Minnesota.
PDL intends to continue to manufacture potential products for use in preclinical
and clinical trials using this manufacturing facility in accordance with
standard procedures that comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices
("cGMP") and appropriate regulatory standards. The manufacture of sufficient
quantities of antibody products in accordance with such standards is an
expensive, time-consuming and complex process and is subject to a number of
risks that could result in delays. For example, PDL has experienced some
difficulties in the past in manufacturing certain potential products on a
consistent basis. Production interruptions, if they occur, could significantly
delay clinical development of potential products, reduce third party or clinical
researcher interest and support of proposed clinical trials, and possibly delay
commercialization of such products and impair their competitive position, which
would have a material adverse effect on the business and financial condition of
the Company.
 
     PDL has no experience in manufacturing commercial quantities of its
potential products and currently does not have sufficient capacity to
manufacture its potential products on a commercial scale. In order to obtain
regulatory approvals and to expand its capacity to produce its products for
commercial sale at an
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
acceptable cost, PDL will need to improve and expand its existing manufacturing
capabilities, including demonstration to the FDA of its ability to manufacture
its products using controlled, reproducible processes. Accordingly, the Company
is evaluating plans to improve and expand the capacity of its current
manufacturing facility. Such plans, if instituted, would result in substantial
costs to the Company and may require a suspension of manufacturing operations
during construction. There can be no assurance that construction delays would
not occur, and any such delays could impair the Company's ability to produce
adequate supplies of its potential products for clinical use or commercial sale
on a timely basis. There can be no assurance that PDL will successfully improve
and expand its manufacturing capability sufficiently to obtain necessary
regulatory approvals and to produce adequate commercial supplies of its
potential products on a timely basis. Failure to do so could delay
commercialization of such products and impair their competitive position, which
could have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of
the Company.
 
     In addition, PDL and Boehringer Mannheim have agreed to negotiate
additional agreements under which each company could manufacture and supply the
other with certain of the antibodies covered by the agreement. There can be no
assurance that the parties will enter into an agreement that will provide for
the Company's potential product requirements to be met in a consistent, timely
and cost effective manner. Specifically, with respect to OST 577, the Company
currently does not manufacture this product and has no alternative manufacturing
sources for this product. In the event that Boehringer Mannheim and the Company
are unable to reach an acceptable agreement, or if material is not supplied in
accordance with such an agreement, there can be no assurance that the Company
could make alternative manufacturing arrangements on a timely basis, if at all,
and the inability to do so could have a material adverse effect on the business
and financial condition of the Company.
 
     UNCERTAINTIES RESULTING FROM MANUFACTURING CHANGES.  Manufacturing of
antibodies for use as therapeutics in compliance with regulatory requirements is
complex, time-consuming and expensive. When certain changes are made in the
manufacturing process, it is necessary to demonstrate to the FDA that the
changes have not caused the resulting drug material to differ significantly from
the drug material previously produced, if results of prior preclinical studies
and clinical trials performed using the previously produced drug material are to
be relied upon in regulatory filings. Such changes could include, for example,
changing the cell line used to produce the antibody, changing the fermentation
or purification process or moving the production process to a new manufacturing
plant. Depending upon the type and degree of differences between the newer and
older drug material, various studies could be required to demonstrate that the
newly produced drug material is sufficiently similar to the previously produced
drug material, possibly requiring additional animal studies or human clinical
trials. Manufacturing changes have been made or are likely to be made for the
production of PDL's products currently in clinical development. There can be no
assurance that such changes will not result in delays in development or
regulatory approvals or, if occurring after regulatory approval, in reduction or
interruption of commercial sales. Such delays could have an adverse effect on
the competitive position of those products and could have a material adverse
effect on the business and financial condition of the Company.
 
     Roche has equipped a manufacturing facility that is expected to be used to
produce Zenapax. Phase III trials of Zenapax in kidney transplantation were
conducted using material produced for Roche by a third party contract
manufacturer at a different facility using a different cell line and a different
manufacturing process. Roche has produced Zenapax at its facility using the new
cell line and process and has produced data indicating that the newly produced
material is substantially similar to the material used in the Phase III clinical
trials. However, there can be no assurance that changes in the manufacturing
site or any other manufacturing changes by Roche will not cause delays in the
development or commercialization of Zenapax. Such delays could have an adverse
effect on the competitive position of Zenapax and could have a material adverse
effect on the business and financial condition of the Company.
 
     In addition, with respect to two of the antibodies in clinical development
licensed from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("Novartis") (formerly known
as Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation), PROTOVIR and OST 577, the cell lines
developed by PDL for both antibodies and the production processes developed by
PDL for PROTOVIR and Boehringer Mannheim for OST 577 are different from those
utilized by Novartis for the manufacture of the antibody supplies used in
earlier clinical trials. There can be no assurance that this new material, when
used in humans, will have the same characteristics or produce results similar to
the antibody material originally developed and used by Novartis in earlier
clinical trials.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
Accordingly, Boehringer Mannheim or the Company may be required to conduct
additional laboratory or clinical testing, which could result in significant
delays and/or additional expenses and could have a material adverse effect on
the competitive position of these potential products and on the business and
financial condition of the Company.
 
     DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIERS.  The Company is dependent on outside vendors for
the supply of raw materials used to produce its product candidates. The Company
currently qualifies only one or a few vendors for its source of certain raw
materials. Therefore, once a supplier's materials have been selected for use in
the Company's manufacturing process, the supplier in effect becomes a sole or
limited source of such raw materials to the Company due to the extensive
regulatory compliance procedures governing changes in manufacturing processes.
Although the Company believes it could qualify alternative suppliers, there can
be no assurance that the Company would not experience a disruption in
manufacturing if it experienced a disruption in supply from any of these
sources. Any significant interruption in the supply of any of the raw materials
currently obtained from such sources, or the time and expense necessary to
transition a replacement supplier's product into the Company's manufacturing
process, could disrupt its operations and have a material adverse effect on the
business and financial condition of the Company. A problem or suspected problem
with the quality of raw materials supplied could result in a suspension of
clinical trials, notification of patients treated with products or product
candidates produced using such materials, potential product liability claims, a
recall of products or product candidates produced using such materials, and an
interruption of supplies, any of which could have a material adverse effect on
the business or financial condition of the Company.
 
     COMPETITION; RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE.  The Company's potential products
are intended to address a wide variety of disease conditions, including
autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, cancers and viral infections.
Competition with respect to these disease conditions is intense and is expected
to increase. This competition involves, among other things, successful research
and development efforts, obtaining appropriate regulatory approvals,
establishing and defending intellectual property rights, successful product
manufacturing, marketing, distribution, market and physician acceptance, patient
compliance, price and potentially securing eligibility for reimbursement or
payment for the use of the Company's product. The Company believes its most
significant competitors may be fully integrated pharmaceutical companies with
substantial expertise in research and development, manufacturing, testing,
obtaining regulatory approvals, marketing and securing eligibility for
reimbursement or payment, and substantially greater financial and other
resources than the Company. Smaller companies also may prove to be significant
competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large
pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, academic institutions, governmental
agencies and other public and private research organizations conduct research,
seek patent protection, and establish collaborative arrangements for product
development, clinical development and marketing. These companies and
institutions also compete with the Company in recruiting and retaining highly
qualified personnel. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject
to rapid and substantial technological change. The Company's competitors may
develop and introduce other technologies or approaches to accomplishing the
intended purposes of the Company's products which may render the Company's
technologies and products noncompetitive and obsolete.
 
     In addition to currently marketed competitive drugs, the Company is aware
of potential products in research or development by its competitors that address
all of the diseases being targeted by the Company. These and other products may
compete directly with the potential products being developed by the Company. In
this regard, the Company is aware that potential competitors are developing
antibodies or other compounds for treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory
conditions, cancers and viral infections. In particular, a number of other
companies have developed and will continue to develop human anti-viral
antibodies and humanized antibodies. In addition, protein design is being
actively pursued at a number of academic and commercial organizations, and
several companies have developed or may develop technologies that can compete
with the Company's SMART and human antibody technologies. There can be no
assurance that competitors will not succeed in more rapidly developing and
marketing technologies and products that are more effective than the products
being developed by the Company or that would render the Company's products or
technology obsolete or noncompetitive. Further, there can be no assurance that
the Company's collaborative partners will not independently develop products
competitive with those licensed to such partners
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
by the Company, thereby reducing the likelihood that the Company will receive
revenues under its agreements with such partners.
 
     Any potential product that the Company succeeds in developing and for which
it gains regulatory approval must then compete for market acceptance and market
share. For certain of the Company's potential products, an important factor will
be the timing of market introduction of competitive products. Accordingly, the
relative speed with which the Company and competing companies can develop
products, complete the clinical testing and approval processes, and supply
commercial quantities of the products to the market is expected to be an
important determinant of market success. Other competitive factors include the
capabilities of the Company's collaborative partners, product efficacy and
safety, timing and scope of regulatory approval, product availability, marketing
and sales capabilities, reimbursement coverage, the amount of clinical benefit
of the Company's products relative to their cost, method of administration,
price and patent protection. There can be no assurance that the Company's
competitors will not develop more efficacious or more affordable products, or
achieve earlier product development completion, patent protection, regulatory
approval or product commercialization than the Company. The occurrence of any of
these events by the Company's competitors could have a material adverse effect
on the business and financial condition of the Company.
 
     BROAD MANAGEMENT DISCRETION OVER USE OF PROCEEDS.  The primary purposes of
the offering are to increase the Company's working capital and funds available
for general corporate purposes, manufacturing, preclinical and clinical
development, research activities, including investigations of new technologies,
leasing or acquiring additional facilities and potential acquisition of
complementary technologies, product candidates or businesses. The Company has
not designated specific amounts of the net proceeds for particular purposes and
expects that the funds generated from operations, if any, will contribute to
meeting the Company's capital needs. Management of the Company will have broad
discretion with respect to the use of the proceeds derived from the offering.
 
     NO ASSURANCE OF REGULATORY APPROVAL; GOVERNMENT REGULATION.  The
manufacturing, testing and marketing of PDL's products are subject to regulation
by numerous governmental authorities in the U.S. and other countries based upon
their safety and efficacy. In the U.S., pharmaceutical products are subject to
rigorous FDA regulation. The federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act ("FD&C Act"),
Public Health Service Act ("PHS Act") and other federal, state and local
regulations govern the manufacture, testing, labeling, storage, record keeping,
clinical and nonclinical studies to assess safety and efficacy, approval,
advertising and promotion of pharmaceutical products. The process of developing
and obtaining approval for a new pharmaceutical product within this regulatory
framework requires a number of years and the expenditure of substantial
resources. There can be no assurance that necessary approvals will be obtained
on a timely basis, if at all.
 
     In addition to the requirement for FDA approval of each pharmaceutical
product, each pharmaceutical product manufacturing facility must be registered
with, and approved by, the FDA. The manufacturing and quality control procedures
must conform to cGMP in order to receive FDA approval. Pharmaceutical product
manufacturing establishments are subject to inspections by the FDA and local
authorities as well as inspections by authorities of other countries. To supply
pharmaceutical products for use in the U.S., foreign manufacturing
establishments must comply with cGMP and are subject to periodic inspection by
the FDA or by corresponding regulatory agencies in such countries under
reciprocal agreements with the FDA. Moreover, pharmaceutical product
manufacturing facilities may also be regulated by state, local and other
authorities.
 
     For marketing of pharmaceutical products outside the U.S., PDL is subject
to foreign regulatory requirements governing marketing approval, and FDA and
other U.S. export provisions should the pharmaceutical product be manufactured
in the U.S. Requirements relating to the manufacturing, conduct of clinical
trials, product licensing, promotion, pricing and reimbursement vary widely in
different countries. Difficulties or unanticipated costs or price controls may
be encountered by PDL or its licensees or marketing partners in their respective
efforts to secure necessary governmental approvals to market the potential
pharmaceutical products, which could delay or preclude PDL or its licensees or
its marketing partners from marketing their potential pharmaceutical products.
 
     The basic steps required by the FDA before a new pharmaceutical product for
human use may be marketed in the U.S. include (i) preclinical laboratory and
animal tests, (ii) submission to the FDA of an
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
application for an Investigational New Drug ("IND") which must be reviewed by
the FDA before clinical trials may begin, (iii) completion of adequate and
well-controlled human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of
the pharmaceutical product for its intended use, (iv) as of May 1996 for
therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, submission of a Biologics License Application
("BLA") to the FDA, and (v) FDA approval of the BLA prior to any commercial sale
or shipment of the pharmaceutical product.
 
     The FDA reviews the results of the trials and may discontinue them at any
time for safety reasons or other reasons if they were deemed to be non-compliant
with FDA regulations. There can be no assurance that Phase I, II or III clinical
trials will be completed successfully within any specific time period, if at
all, with respect to any of the Company's or its collaborators' pharmaceutical
products, each of which is subject to such testing requirements.
 
     Both before and after approval is obtained, a pharmaceutical product, its
manufacturer and the holder of the BLA for the pharmaceutical product are
subject to comprehensive regulatory oversight. The FDA may deny a BLA if
applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied, require additional testing or
information or require postmarketing testing and surveillance to monitor the
safety or efficacy of the pharmaceutical product. Moreover, even if regulatory
approval is granted, such approval may be subject to limitations on the
indicated uses for which the pharmaceutical product may be marketed. Further,
approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not
maintained or if problems with the pharmaceutical product occur following
approval. Among the conditions for BLA approval is the requirement that the
manufacturer of the pharmaceutical product comply with cGMP. In addition, under
a BLA, the manufacturer continues to be subject to facility inspection and the
applicant must assume responsibility for compliance with applicable
pharmaceutical product and establishment standards. Violations of regulatory
requirements at any stage may result in various adverse consequences, including
FDA refusal to accept a license application, total or partial suspension of
licensure, delay in approving or refusal to approve the pharmaceutical product
or pending marketing approval applications, warning letters, fines, injunctions,
withdrawal of the previously approved pharmaceutical product or marketing
approvals and/or the imposition of criminal penalties against the manufacturer
and/or BLA holders. In addition, later discovery of previously unknown problems
may result in new restrictions on such pharmaceutical product, manufacturer
and/or BLA holders, including withdrawal of the pharmaceutical product or
marketing approvals and pharmaceutical product recalls or seizures.
 
     LIMITED SALES AND MARKETING EXPERIENCE.  The Company intends to market and
sell certain of its products, if successfully developed and approved, through a
direct sales force in the U.S. and through sales and marketing partnership
arrangements outside the U.S. However, PDL does not expect to establish a direct
sales capability for at least the next few years. The Company has no history or
experience in sales, marketing or distribution. To market its products directly,
the Company must either establish a marketing group and direct sales force or
obtain the assistance of another company. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to establish sales and distribution capabilities or succeed
in gaining market acceptance for its products. If the Company enters into
co-promotion or other marketing or licensing arrangements with established
pharmaceutical companies, the Company's revenues will be subject to the payment
provisions of such arrangements and dependent on the efforts of third parties.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully
establish a direct sales force or that its collaborators will effectively market
any of the Company's potential products, and the inability of the Company or its
collaborators to do so could have a material adverse effect on the business and
financial condition of the Company.
 
   
     DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  The Company's success is dependent to a
significant degree on its key management personnel. To be successful, the
Company will have to retain its qualified clinical, manufacturing, scientific
and management personnel. The Company does not have employment agreements with
its key personnel and only maintains limited amounts of insurance on the lives
of two of its executive officers. The Company faces competition for personnel
from other companies, academic institutions, government entities and other
organizations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
hiring or retaining qualified personnel, and its failure to do so could have a
material adverse effect on the business and financial condition of the Company.
    
 
     PRODUCT LIABILITY AND INSURANCE.  The Company faces an inherent business
risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of
products during research and development efforts or after
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
commercialization results in adverse effects. There can be no assurance that the
Company will avoid significant product liability exposure. The Company maintains
product liability insurance for clinical trials. However, there can be no
assurance that such coverage will be adequate or that adequate insurance
coverage for future clinical trials or commercial activities will be available
at an acceptable cost, if at all, or that a product liability claim would not
materially adversely affect the business or financial condition of the Company.
 
     POTENTIAL VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE.  The market for the Company's
securities is volatile and investment in these securities involves substantial
risk. The market prices for securities of biotechnology companies (including the
Company) have been highly volatile, and the stock market from time to time has
experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated to
the operating performance of particular companies. Factors such as results of
clinical trials, delays in manufacturing or clinical trial plans, fluctuations
in the Company's operating results, disputes or disagreements with collaborative
partners, market reaction to announcements by other biotechnology or
pharmaceutical companies, announcements of technological innovations or new
commercial therapeutic products by the Company or its competitors, initiation,
termination or modification of agreements with collaborative partners, failures
or unexpected delays in manufacturing or in obtaining regulatory approvals or
FDA advisory panel recommendations, developments or disputes as to patent or
other proprietary rights, loss of key personnel, litigation, public concern as
to the safety of drugs developed by the Company, regulatory developments in
either the U.S. or foreign countries (such as opinions, recommendations or
statements by the FDA or FDA advisory panels, health care reform measures or
proposals), and general market conditions could result in the Company's failure
to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors. In such event, or
in the event that adverse conditions prevail or are perceived to prevail with
respect to the Company's business, the price of PDL's common stock would likely
drop significantly. In the past, following significant drops in the price of a
company's common stock, securities class action litigation has often been
instituted against such a company. Such litigation against the Company could
result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and
resources, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business
and financial condition.
 
   
     FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL CAPITAL.  The Company's
operations to date have consumed substantial amounts of cash. Negative cash flow
from operations is expected to increase significantly beyond current levels over
at least the next two years as the Company expects to spend substantial funds in
conducting clinical trials, to expand its research and development programs and
to develop and expand its manufacturing capability. The Company's future capital
requirements will depend on numerous factors, including, among others, the
progress of the Company's product candidates in clinical trials; the continued
or additional support by collaborative partners or other third parties of
research and clinical trials; enhancement of research and development programs;
the time required to gain regulatory approvals; the resources the Company
devotes to self-funded products, manufacturing methods and advanced
technologies; third party manufacturing commitments; the ability of the Company
to obtain and retain funding from third parties under collaborative agreements;
the development of internal marketing and sales capabilities; the demand for the
Company's potential products, if and when approved; potential acquisitions of
technology, product candidates or businesses by the Company; and the costs of
defending or prosecuting any patent opposition or litigation necessary to
protect the Company's proprietary technology. Although the Company believes that
the proceeds received from the financing, together with existing capital
resources, will be adequate to satisfy its capital needs for at least the next
three years, in order to develop and commercialize its potential products, the
Company may need to raise substantial additional funds following this offering
through equity or debt financings, collaborative arrangements, the use of
sponsored research efforts or other means. No assurance can be given that such
additional financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all, and such
financing may only be available on terms dilutive to existing stockholders. The
inability of the Company to secure adequate funds on a timely basis could result
in the delay or cancellation of programs that the Company might otherwise pursue
and, in any event, could have a material adverse effect on the business and
financial condition of the Company.
    
 
     ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION.  The Company is subject to federal, state and
local laws and regulations governing the use, generation, manufacture, storage,
discharge, handling and disposal of certain materials and wastes used in its
operations, some of which are classified as "hazardous." There can be no
assurance that the
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
Company will not be required to incur significant costs to comply with
environmental laws, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and state, local and
foreign counterparts to such laws, rules and regulations as its manufacturing
and research activities are increased or that the operations, business and
future profitability of the Company will not be adversely affected by current or
future laws, rules and regulations. The risk of accidental contamination or
injury from hazardous materials cannot be eliminated. In the event of such an
accident, the Company could be held liable for any damages that result and any
such liability could exceed the resources of the Company. In any event, the cost
of defending claims arising from such contamination or injury could be
substantial. In addition, the Company cannot predict the extent of the adverse
effect on its business or the financial and other costs that might result from
any new government requirements arising out of future legislative,
administrative or judicial actions.
 
     UNCERTAINTY RELATED TO HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.  The health care industry is
subject to changing political, economic and regulatory influences that may
significantly affect the purchasing practices and pricing of human therapeutics.
Cost containment measures, whether instituted by health care providers or
enacted as a result of government health administration regulators or new
regulations, such as pricing limitations or formulary eligibility for
dispensation by medical providers, could result in greater selectivity in the
availability of treatments. Such selectivity could have an adverse effect on the
Company's ability to sell its products and there can be no assurance that
adequate third-party coverage will be available for the Company to maintain
price levels sufficient to generate an appropriate return on its investment in
product development. Third-party payors are increasingly focusing on the
cost-benefit profile of alternative therapies and prescription drugs and
challenging the prices charged for such products and services. Also, the trend
towards managed health care in the U.S. and the concurrent growth of
organizations such as health maintenance organizations, which could control or
significantly influence the purchase of health care services and products, as
well as legislative proposals to reform health care or reduce government
insurance programs, may all result in lower prices or reduced markets for the
Company's products. The cost containment measures that health care providers and
payors are instituting and the effect of any health care reform could adversely
affect the Company's ability to sell its products and may have a material
adverse effect on the Company. To date, the Company has conducted limited
marketing studies on certain of its potential products and has not undertaken
any pharmacoeconomic analysis with respect to its products under development.
The cost containment measures and reforms that government institutions and third
party payors are considering instituting could result in significant and
unpredictable changes to the marketing, pricing and reimbursement practices of
biopharmaceutical companies such as the Company. The adoption of any such
measures or reforms could have a material adverse effect on the business and
financial condition of the Company.
 
   
     DILUTION.  Purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby will suffer
immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the Common
Stock from the price to the public in this offering. To the extent outstanding
options to purchase the Company's Common Stock are exercised, there will be
further dilution. See "Dilution."
    
 
     SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE; REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  Future sales of
shares by certain existing stockholders could adversely affect the market price
of the Company's Common Stock. Based on shares held on December 31, 1996, after
giving effect to the offering, directors, officers, Roche and Corange
International Limited ("Corange"), an affiliated company of Boehringer Mannheim,
will hold approximately 25.3% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock. See "Business -- Collaborative and Licensing Arrangements" and "Principal
and Selling Stockholders." These outstanding shares are all freely tradable,
subject to restrictions imposed by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to sales by affiliates and sales of restricted stock.
Except under certain limited circumstances, the Company and its officers and
directors have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of any of their shares
for a period of 90 days after the effective date of the offering without the
consent of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. ("Oppenheimer"), and, subject to Corange's
selling 750,000 shares in this offering, Corange has agreed not to sell or
otherwise dispose of any of its shares for a period of 365 days after the
effective date without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer and the Company.
Oppenheimer may, in its sole discretion (except with respect to shares held by
Corange, which also requires the consent of the Company) and at any time without
notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up
agreements. In addition, Roche and, subject to their respective lock-up
agreements, Laurence Jay Korn, Cary L. Queen, and Corange have certain
registration rights with respect to their shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the Common
Stock offered hereby are estimated to be approximately $68.8 million ($83.1
million if the Underwriter's over-allotment option is exercised in full) at an
assumed offering price of $36.63 per share. The Company will not receive any of
the proceeds from the sale of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder. See
"Principal and Selling Stockholders."
 
     The Company intends to use the proceeds of this offering for working
capital and general corporate purposes; manufacturing, preclinical and clinical
development; research activities, including investigation and support of new
technologies; and leasing or acquiring additional facilities. Proceeds may also
be used to acquire technologies, product candidates or companies that complement
the business of the Company. While the Company from time to time engages in
preliminary discussions with respect to such transactions, the Company is not a
party to any agreements, understandings or commitments with respect to such
acquisitions.
 
     The amounts and timing of expenditures for each purpose may vary
significantly depending on the terms of any collaborative arrangements entered
into by the Company, the progress and focus of the Company's research and
development programs, the progress and results of the Company's clinical trials
and preclinical studies, regulatory approvals and technological advances,
determinations as to the commercial potential of PDL's products, the success of
the Company's manufacturing efforts, the need for additional capital equipment,
the need for additional manufacturing capabilities or facilities, potential
oppositions or litigation related to the Company's proprietary rights, the
status of competitive products, the establishment of sales and marketing
capabilities, and the availability of other financing. The Company believes that
its available cash resources, the net proceeds from the offering and the
interest thereon will be adequate to satisfy its capital needs for at least the
next three years.
 
     Pending application of the proceeds as described above, the Company intends
to invest the net proceeds of this offering primarily in investment grade,
interest-bearing securities.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company's Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "PDLI". The following table presents quarterly information on the price
range of the Company's Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market since January
1, 1995. This information indicates the high and low sale prices reported by the
Nasdaq National Market for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               HIGH      LOW
                                                                              -------   ------
<S>                                                                           <C>       <C>
1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter...............................................................  $22.25    $13.88
Second Quarter..............................................................   26.75     19.25
Third Quarter...............................................................   20.63     13.13
Fourth Quarter..............................................................   24.00     14.63
1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter...............................................................   28.38     20.38
Second Quarter..............................................................   30.00     22.00
Third Quarter...............................................................   27.25     12.00
Fourth Quarter..............................................................   38.38     21.75
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter (through February 14, 1997)...................................   38.00     31.75
</TABLE>
 
     On February 14, 1997, the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by
the Nasdaq National Market was $36.63 per share. As of December 31, 1996, there
were approximately 224 holders of record of the Common Stock. The market for the
Company's securities is volatile. See "Risk Factors -- Potential Volatility of
Stock Price."
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company has not paid any dividends since inception and does not
anticipate paying any dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the actual capitalization of the Company as
of December 31, 1996, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of 2,000,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby at an assumed public offering price
of $36.63 per share and the receipt of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See
"Use of Proceeds."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                       -------------------------
                                                                        ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED
                                                                       --------   --------------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                    <C>        <C>
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares
     authorized; no shares issued and outstanding....................  $     --      $     --
  Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 40,000,000 shares
     authorized; 15,759,089 issued and outstanding actual, 17,759,089
     shares outstanding as adjusted(1)...............................       158           178
  Additional paid-in capital.........................................   140,328       209,129
  Accumulated deficit................................................   (35,507)      (35,507)
  Unrealized gains (losses) on investments...........................       133           133
                                                                       ----------  ----------
          Total stockholders' equity.................................   105,112       173,933
                                                                       ----------  ----------
               Total capitalization..................................  $105,112      $173,933
                                                                       ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes options outstanding at December 31, 1996 to purchase 1,941,432
     shares at a weighted average exercise price of $18.44, of which options to
     purchase 774,813 shares were then exercisable.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
                                    DILUTION
 
     As of December 31, 1996, the net tangible book value of the Company's
Common Stock was $105,112,000 or $6.67 per share of Common Stock. "Net tangible
book value" per share represents the amount of total tangible assets of the
Company reduced by the total liabilities and divided by the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding. After giving effect to the sale by the Company of
2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, less underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, the
Company's pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 1996, would have
been $173,933,000, or $9.79 per share of Common Stock. This represents an
immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $3.12 per share to
existing holders of Common Stock and an immediate dilution per share of $26.84
to new investors purchasing shares of Common Stock in this offering. "Dilution
per share to new investors" represents the difference between the price per
share of Common Stock paid for the shares issued in this offering and the pro
forma net tangible book value per share at December 31, 1996, as adjusted to
give effect to this offering.
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                  <C>        <C>
    Assumed public offering price per share (1)........................             $36.63
      Pro forma net tangible book value per share before offering......  $ 6.67
      Increase per share attributable to new investors.................    3.12
                                                                          -----
    Pro forma net tangible book value per share after offering.........               9.79
                                                                                    -------
                                                                                         -
              Dilution per share to new investors......................             $26.84
                                                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Before deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
     offering expenses payable by the Company.
 
     At December 31, 1996, a total of 1,941,432 shares of Common Stock were
subject to outstanding options, at a weighted average exercise price of $18.44
per share. Any exercise of such options may result in further dilution to new
investors.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following selected financial data for the five years ended December 31,
1996 are derived from audited financial statements of PDL. The data should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements, related notes, and other
financial information incorporated herein by reference.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                    1992      1993      1994      1995      1996
                                                  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  Research and development revenue under
     collaborative agreements -- related
     parties..................................... $  3,400  $ 14,233  $ 10,233  $ 10,408  $ 11,500
  Research and development revenue -- other......    2,746       456     1,627     1,000     5,000
  Interest and other income......................    2,239     2,111     3,349     6,205     6,100
                                                   -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
          Total revenues.........................    8,385    16,800    15,209    17,613    22,600
Costs and expenses:
  Research and development.......................    7,264    12,329    16,367    20,803    28,795
  Purchase of in-process technology..............       --     7,725        --        --        --
  General and administrative.....................    1,997     2,653     4,051     5,163     5,601
  Interest expense...............................       44        25         7         1        --
                                                   -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
          Total costs and expenses...............    9,305    22,732    20,425    25,967    34,396
                                                   -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
Net loss......................................... $   (920) $ (5,932) $ (5,216) $ (8,354) $(11,796)
                                                   =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
Net loss per share............................... $  (0.07) $  (0.47) $  (0.37) $  (0.54) $  (0.76)
                                                   =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
Shares used in computation of net loss per
  share..........................................   12,491    12,747    14,060    15,343    15,604
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                    1992      1993      1994      1995      1996
                                                  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and
  investments.................................... $ 50,904  $ 72,732  $113,245  $107,065  $ 99,667
Working capital..................................   18,188    29,843    95,450    43,522    74,221
Total assets.....................................   55,623    80,294   121,054   116,412   110,331
Accumulated deficit..............................   (4,209)  (10,141)  (15,357)  (23,711)  (35,507)
Total stockholders' equity.......................   53,534    77,921   117,783   112,856   105,112
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause
such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors" as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     Since the Company's founding in 1986, a primary focus of its operations has
been research and development. Achievement of successful research and
development and commercialization of products derived from such efforts is
subject to high levels of risk and significant resource commitments. The Company
has a history of operating losses and expects to incur substantial additional
expenses over at least the next few years, as it continues to develop its
proprietary products and devote significant resources to preclinical studies,
clinical trials, and manufacturing. The Company's revenues to date have
consisted, and for the near future are expected to consist, principally of
research and development funding, licensing and signing fees and milestone
payments from pharmaceutical companies under collaborative research and
development and licensing agreements. These revenues may vary considerably from
quarter to quarter and from year to year and revenues in any period may not be
predictive of revenues in any subsequent period, and variations may be
significant depending on the terms of the particular agreements. In particular,
revenues for the fourth quarter of 1996, which included several non-recurring
payments in connection with new licensing agreements, may not be indicative of
revenues in future quarters.
 
     While the Company historically has received significant revenue pursuant to
certain of its research and development agreements, the Company has recognized
substantially all of the research and development and milestone revenue due
under these collaborations. Although the Company anticipates entering into new
collaborations from time to time, the Company presently does not anticipate
realizing non-royalty revenue from its new and proposed collaborations at levels
commensurate with the non-royalty revenue historically recognized under its
older collaborations. Moreover, the Company anticipates that its operating
expenses will continue to increase significantly as the Company increases its
research and development, manufacturing, preclinical and clinical activity, and
administrative and patent activities. Accordingly, in the absence of substantial
revenues from new corporate collaborations or licensing agreements, royalties on
Zenapax sales, if any, or other sources, the Company expects to incur
substantial and increased operating losses in the foreseeable future as certain
of its earlier stage potential products move into later stage clinical
development, as additional potential products are selected as clinical
candidates for further development, as the Company invests in additional
manufacturing facilities or capacity, as the Company defends or prosecutes its
patents and patent applications and as the Company invests in research or
acquires additional technologies or businesses.
 
   
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires the use of management's estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. For example, the Company has a policy of accruing expenses
for clinical trials based upon pro rating estimated total costs of a clinical
trial over the estimated length of the clinical trial and the number of patients
anticipated to be enrolled in the trial. Expenses are accrued as patients
meeting the entry criteria in the clinical trial protocol are enrolled in and
progress through the trial. In the event of early termination of a clinical
trial, management accrues an amount based on its estimate of the remaining non-
cancellable obligations associated with the winding down of the clinical trial.
    
 
     Nonrefundable signing or licensing fee payments that are not dependent on
future performance under collaborative agreements are recognized as revenue when
received. Payments for research and development performed by the Company under
contractual arrangements are recognized as revenue ratably over the quarter in
which the payment is received and the related work is performed. Revenue from
achievement of milestone events is recognized when the funding party agrees that
the scientific or clinical results stipulated in the agreement have been met.
Deferred revenue arises principally due to timing of cash payments received
under research and development contracts.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
     The Company's total revenues were $22.6 million in 1996 as compared to
$17.6 million in 1995 and $15.2 million in 1994. Total research and development
revenues represented $16.5 million, $11.4 million and $11.9 million of total
revenues in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Interest and other income were
$6.1 million in 1996, $6.2 million in 1995, and $3.3 million in 1994.
 
   
     The increase in total research and development revenues in 1996 over the
prior years was primarily attributable to an increase in up-front licensing and
signing fees, and receipt of a milestone payment from Boehringer Mannheim in
January 1996. Increased funding during 1995 and 1994 from Boehringer Mannheim
was partially offset by reduced funding from Roche, whose funding arrangement
ended in January 1995. Reimbursement funding under the agreement with Boehringer
Mannheim ended in October 1996. The Company received $6.5 million in up-front
licensing and signing fees and milestone payments in 1996, compared to $1.0
million and $2.5 million in 1995 and 1994 respectively. Of the amounts spent by
the Company for research and development, $10.0 million in 1996, $10.4 million
in 1995 and $9.2 million in 1994 represented third-party funded research and
development activities (not including licensing fees, milestone payments and
product sales).
    
 
     Interest and other income of $6.1 million in 1996 was comparable to $6.2
million in 1995. The increase in 1995 from $3.3 million in 1994 was attributable
primarily to higher cash and investment balances in 1995 resulting from the sale
of stock to Corange, an affiliate of Boehringer Mannheim, in December 1994.
 
     Total costs and expenses increased to $34.4 million in 1996 from $26.0
million in 1995 and $20.4 million in 1994. The increase in costs and expenses in
1996 compared to 1995 and 1994 was due primarily to increases in research and
development expenses in each of those periods.
 
     Research and development expenses in 1996 increased to $28.8 million from
$20.8 million in 1995 and $16.4 million in 1994, primarily as a result of the
Company's conducting additional development efforts independently and under its
agreements with its collaborative partner, Boehringer Mannheim. These expenses
included the addition of staff, the initiation and continuation of clinical
trials, costs of conducting preclinical tests, expansion of pharmaceutical
development capabilities including support for both clinical development and
manufacturing process development, and higher costs in the expanded operation of
the manufacturing facility.
 
     General and administrative expenses for 1996 increased to $5.6 million from
$5.2 million in 1995 and $4.1 million in 1994. These increases were primarily
the result of increased staffing and associated expenses necessary to manage and
support the Company's expanding operations.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     To date the Company has financed its operations primarily through public
and private placements of equity, research and development revenue, capital
lease financing and interest income on invested capital. At December 31, 1996,
the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments in the aggregate of $99.7
million, compared to $107.1 million at December 31, 1995 and $113.2 million at
December 31, 1994. Pursuant to the agreement with Boehringer Mannheim, the
Company may be required to reimburse Boehringer Mannheim up to $2.0 million for
Phase II studies and up to $8.8 million for Phase III studies of OST 577 in the
event certain conditions are met.
 
     Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $7.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 1996 compared to approximately $7.1 million in 1995
and $1.9 million in 1994.
 
     The Company's future capital requirements will depend on numerous factors,
including, among others, the progress of the Company's product candidates in
clinical trials; the continued or additional support by collaborative partners
or other third parties of research and clinical trials; enhancement of research
and development programs; the time required to gain regulatory approvals; the
resources the Company devotes to self-funded products, manufacturing methods and
advanced technologies; third party manufacturing commit-
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
ments; the ability of the Company to obtain and retain funding from third
parties under collaborative agreements; the development of internal marketing
and sales capabilities; the demand for the Company's potential products, if and
when approved; potential acquisitions of technology, product candidates or
businesses by the Company; and the costs of defending or prosecuting any patent
opposition or litigation necessary to protect the Company's proprietary
technology. In order to develop and commercialize its potential products the
Company may need to raise substantial additional funds following this offering
through equity or debt financings, collaborative arrangements, the use of
sponsored research efforts or other means. No assurance can be given that such
additional financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all, and such
financing may only be available on terms dilutive to existing stockholders. The
Company believes that the proceeds received from this offering, together with
existing capital resources, will be adequate to satisfy its capital needs for at
least the next three years. See "Risk Factors -- History of Losses;
Profitability Uncertain."
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     PDL is a leader in the development of humanized and human monoclonal
antibodies for the prevention and treatment of a variety of disease conditions,
including autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, cancers and viral
infections. The Company uses proprietary computer software and other
technologies to develop its SMART humanized antibodies for potential use as
effective pharmaceuticals without the limitations of mouse-derived (murine)
antibodies. PDL believes that its technologies are broadly applicable to a
variety of diseases, as demonstrated by the Company's diverse product
development pipeline and its collaborative arrangements with eight
pharmaceutical companies. The Company and its collaborative partners currently
have four product candidates in multiple clinical trials and numerous additional
product candidates in preclinical studies. The Company's most advanced potential
product, Zenapax, has successfully completed two multinational Phase III
clinical trials for the prevention of kidney transplant rejection. In 1996, PDL
received U.S. and European patents that the Company believes cover most
humanized antibodies, and that may lead to additional corporate partnering,
patent licensing and other revenue opportunities.
 
     Antibodies have long had promise as therapeutic compounds to treat a
variety of disease conditions. Murine antibodies, however, have significant
drawbacks which in most cases prevent them from becoming effective therapeutics.
The most important of these is the human anti-mouse antibody ("HAMA") response,
whereby the murine antibody is recognized by the body's immune system as being
foreign and is rapidly neutralized and rendered ineffective. PDL's antibodies
are designed to avoid these drawbacks, including the HAMA response. PDL's SMART
antibodies are predominantly human antibodies that incorporate the structural
information from the binding region of promising murine antibodies. By applying
its proprietary SMART antibody technology, the Company is able to create such
recombinant antibodies with molecular structures that are approximately 90%
human and 10% murine. The Company also has technologies to produce fully human
antibodies to treat additional diseases using antibody therapy.
 
     PDL's business strategy is to leverage its technologies, research expertise
and intellectual property in the field of antibodies to become a profitable,
research-based biopharmaceutical company that manufactures and, in North
America, markets its own products. Key aspects of PDL's strategy are to: (i)
expand the Company's product portfolio to provide multiple product candidates to
treat a variety of diseases and conditions; (ii) establish collaborative
relationships with pharmaceutical companies to reduce development costs and
risks and to enhance commercial opportunities; (iii) leverage its patent
position by licensing certain rights in exchange for near-term revenues and
future royalty opportunities; and (iv) retain and obtain North American
marketing or co-promotion rights to certain products to provide for greater
revenue opportunities.
 
     The Company actively seeks partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. The
breadth of the Company's antibody technology and its patent position are key
assets in attracting other companies to enter into such collaborative
relationships with the Company. In one type of collaborative arrangement, the
Company licenses certain marketing rights to one or more potential products
developed by PDL in return for a licensing fee, research funding and milestone
payments, and royalties on potential product sales. In another type of
arrangement, PDL uses its proprietary technology to develop a SMART antibody
based on a promising murine antibody developed by its corporate partner. In such
cases, PDL typically receives a licensing fee and other payments, royalties on
potential sales and, in some cases, an option to co-promote in North America.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
PRODUCTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
 
     The Company believes it is a leader in the development of antibody-based
therapeutics and has one of the broadest product pipelines in this area. The
Company has four product candidates under clinical development and a number of
product candidates in preclinical development for the treatment of a variety of
disease conditions, including autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions,
cancers and viral infections.
 
CLINICAL PRODUCT CANDIDATES
 
     The following table summarizes the potential therapeutic indications,
development status and commercial rights for the four PDL products that have
entered clinical trials. The development and commercialization of the Company's
clinical product candidates are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. See
"Risk Factors."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC                                     COMMERCIAL
       PRODUCT                    INDICATIONS               DEVELOPMENT STATUS         RIGHTS(1)
- ---------------------    -----------------------------    ----------------------    ----------------
<S>                      <C>                              <C>                       <C>
Zenapax (SMART           Organ transplant rejection       Completed two   Phase     Roche
  Anti-Tac Antibody)                                      III trials   (kidney)
                         Certain autoimmune diseases
                         Tropical spastic paraparesis     Phase I/II
                         Uveitis                          Phase I/II
                         Psoriasis                        Phase I/II planned
                         Certain blood cancers            Phase II
SMART M195 Antibody      Acute myelogenous leukemia       Phase II/III              PDL and Kanebo
                         Acute promyelocytic leukemia     Phase II
                         Myeloid leukemia                 Phase I (Japan)
OST 577 (Human           CHB                              Phase II                  PDL, Boehringer
  Anti-Hepatitis B       Liver transplantation            Completed Phase I/II      Mannheim and
  Antibody)              due to CHB                                                 Novartis
PROTOVIR (Human          CMV infections in BMT            Phase II                  PDL, Boehringer
 Anti-Cytomegalovirus                                                               Mannheim and
  Antibody)                                                                         Novartis
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The development and marketing rights for each of these products differ. See
     "-- Collaborative and Licensing Arrangements."
 
     ZENAPAX (SMART ANTI-TAC ANTIBODY).  Zenapax is a humanized antibody,
developed by PDL and licensed exclusively to Roche, which binds to the IL-2
receptor on T cells. IL-2 is a lymphokine which stimulates T cells to divide and
participate in an immune response. By blocking the binding of IL-2 to its
receptor, Zenapax inhibits the proliferation of activated T cells, and thus
could be useful in preventing or treating organ transplant rejection or certain
autoimmune diseases. Such an agent might be more specific and less toxic than
current immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine or OKT3, because it would
suppress only activated T cells involved in an immune response rather than all T
cells and possibly other unrelated cells.
 
     Organ transplantation.  In September 1996, the Company's partner, Roche,
announced results from two multinational Phase III studies of Zenapax for the
prevention of acute rejection episodes in a total of 535 cadaveric kidney
transplant recipients. As set forth in the following table, a preliminary
analysis of the data by Roche indicated that, when administered with a standard
immunosuppressive regimen, Zenapax is effective in reducing the incidence of
acute rejection episodes within six months of transplant, the primary endpoint.
In the double therapy trial, in which all patients received a background therapy
of cyclosporine and prednisone, acute rejection episodes were reduced by 40% in
patients treated with Zenapax. In the triple therapy trial, in
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
which all patients received background therapy of cyclosporine, prednisone and
azathioprine, the incidence of acute rejection episodes was reduced by 37% in
patients treated with Zenapax.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          INCIDENCE OF KIDNEY REJECTION EPISODES
                                                   ----------------------------------------------------
                                                     WITHOUT       WITH      REDUCTION WITH
                      TRIAL                          ZENAPAX      ZENAPAX       ZENAPAX        P VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   -------   ----------------   --------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>       <C>                <C>
Double Therapy...................................       47%          28%           40%           0.001
Triple Therapy...................................       35%          22%           37%           0.03
</TABLE>
 
     Roche also noted that secondary endpoints of reduction in the total number
of rejection episodes per patient and increase in the time to first rejection
episode were achieved with Zenapax in both clinical trials. The addition of
Zenapax to the standard immunosuppressive regimen did not result in an increase
in drug-related serious adverse events. Based on these trials, Roche stated that
it intends to file in the first half of 1997 for regulatory approval to market
Zenapax in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
 
     In more recent findings, the pooled data from the two double-blind,
controlled, randomized studies included a total of 535 evaluated patients,
approximately half (267) of whom received Zenapax. There was one death within
six months of transplant among patients receiving Zenapax as compared with 10
deaths that occurred among patients who did not receive Zenapax. Patient
mortality at six months was 0.4% in Zenapax-treated patients and 3.7% in
patients not receiving Zenapax. Graft loss at six months was 6.0% (16 grafts
lost) in Zenapax-treated patients and 11.6% (31 grafts lost) in patients not
receiving Zenapax.
 
     In addition to the studies described above, Roche has completed enrollment
in a controlled pharmacokinetics/safety study with 61 evaluable patients to
assess Zenapax in combination with CellCept in kidney transplant patients.
CellCept, marketed by Roche, is used to prevent kidney transplant rejection.
Roche also plans to conduct a study of Zenapax in pediatric kidney
transplantation.
 
     According to industry sources, approximately 20,000 solid organs are
transplanted into patients in the U.S. each year, with kidney transplants
accounting for about 12,000 of the total. A comparable number of kidney
transplants are performed outside of the U.S. The majority of kidney transplant
patients receive cadaveric kidneys.
 
     Roche previously evaluated Zenapax in a Phase II/III trial for the
prevention of graft-versus-host disease ("GvHD"), a complication of bone marrow
transplants. Analysis of the trial results led Roche to conclude that Zenapax
was not effective in reducing the incidence of GvHD in the patient population
studied. The reason for this lack of efficacy of Zenapax in GvHD despite its
effectiveness in kidney transplantation is unknown. However, Roche stated that
Zenapax was found to be safe and well-tolerated in the GvHD trial.
 
     Autoimmune disease.  Because of the ability of Zenapax to inhibit the
proliferation of T cells, the Company believes that Zenapax may have potential
for the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases. Investigators at the National
Institutes of Health ("NIH") are evaluating Zenapax in a preliminary clinical
trial in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis, a rare autoimmune disease
of the nerves considered by these investigators to be a model for multiple
sclerosis. In addition, proof-of-concept clinical trials of Zenapax have
commenced for uveitis and are planned for psoriasis.
 
     Cancer.  The Company believes that Zenapax may also have potential for the
treatment of certain blood cancers, because the IL-2 receptor is present on
these types of cancer cells. The murine anti-Tac antibody has been tested at NIH
in patients with adult T-cell leukemia, and several of the patients experienced
remissions, especially when the antibody was linked to a radioisotope. A pilot
Phase I clinical trial of Zenapax for the treatment of certain cancers was
completed in 1993 at the National Cancer Institute ("NCI") of NIH, and a Phase
II trial of a radiolabeled form of Zenapax for certain blood cancers is in
progress at NCI.
 
     There can be no assurance that Roche will file for or receive regulatory
approval to market Zenapax for use in preventing kidney transplant rejections in
a timely manner, if at all, or that it will pursue or continue clinical trials
in autoimmune diseases or other indications.
 
     SMART M195 ANTIBODY.  The SMART M195 Antibody is a humanized antibody that
binds to the cancer cells of most patients with myeloid leukemia. Myeloid
leukemia, the major form of leukemia in adults,
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
is classified into two types -- acute myelogenous leukemia ("AML") and chronic
myelogenous leukemia ("CML"). There are at least 11,000 new cases of myeloid
leukemia in the U.S. each year, of which more than half are AML. Currently, the
survival rate of myeloid leukemia patients is very low, despite aggressive
chemotherapy and multiple, expensive hospitalizations.
 
     PDL has adopted strategies designed to achieve improved efficacy of
antibodies in certain cancers. First, PDL's anti-cancer antibodies are
humanized, which allows for longer term treatment by minimizing the HAMA
response, and potentially makes the antibodies more effective in killing cancer
cells. Second, the Company is initially focusing on treatment of blood cancers,
such as myeloid leukemia, which may be more susceptible to antibody therapy than
solid tumors because the cancer cells are more readily accessible. Third, PDL
will often conduct trials of its antibodies in combination with, or following,
other chemotherapeutic agents.
 
     PDL is conducting a randomized Phase II/III trial of the SMART M195
Antibody for AML, which was initiated in June 1994. Patients in the trial first
receive a specific regimen of chemotherapy. Those patients entering clinical
remission are randomized either to observation or to receive 20 doses of SMART
M195 given over an eight month period. The primary clinical endpoint is the
median duration of disease-free survival, which in the absence of SMART M195
therapy has historically been about eight months. The study is planned to
evaluate 112 patients in remission, but a substantially larger number will need
to receive chemotherapy in order to reach that number of patients in remission.
The study is currently expected to require several additional years to complete.
The Company is exploring the addition of other U.S. or foreign medical centers
and other actions to accelerate patient accrual in the study. See "Risk
Factors -- Limited Experience with Clinical Trials; Risk of Delay."
 
     SMART M195 is also being studied in a Phase II trial under a
physician-sponsored IND at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
("Sloan-Kettering"), in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia ("APL"), one
of several types of AML. This trial is designed to examine whether SMART M195
alone can eliminate minimal residual leukemia that remains after treatment with
retinoic acid, a drug recently approved to treat APL. The effectiveness is
measured by elimination of cells having the characteristic genetic mutation
found in APL to below detectable levels ("molecular remission"). Four of seven
evaluable newly diagnosed patients have entered complete molecular as well as
clinical remission after therapy with retinoic acid and SMART M195 prior to
receiving chemotherapy. In the more difficult relapsed setting, one of seven APL
patients entered molecular remission. Normally, one to three rounds of expensive
and toxic chemotherapy are required to bring newly diagnosed APL patients into
molecular remission after therapy with retinoic acid. More patients and
longer-term follow-up are necessary to evaluate the significance of the observed
remissions. While these results suggest that SMART M195 may be biologically
active in APL, the Company currently has no plans to conduct pivotal clinical
trials in this subpopulation of AML patients.
 
     A Phase I clinical trial of the SMART M195 Antibody linked to Bismuth-213,
an alpha particle-emitting isotope, was initiated in 1996 under a
physician-sponsored IND at Sloan-Kettering in advanced myeloid leukemia
patients. The Company is supporting this trial to obtain preliminary evidence of
the safety and potential efficacy of SMART M195-Bismuth-213 used as a single
agent to induce remissions of advanced myeloid leukemia. Generators to produce
the Bismuth-213 isotope are being supplied by PharmActinium Inc. and associated
companies. The Company believes that this study is the first clinical trial of
an antibody combined with an alpha-emitting isotope. In previous clinical trials
of radiolabeled antibodies, the antibodies have been linked to radioisotopes
that emit beta or gamma particles. Alpha particles release more energy over a
shorter path than beta or gamma particles and, therefore, may be more effective
in destroying the targeted cancer cells without damaging nearby normal cells.
 
     Exclusive development and marketing rights for therapeutic uses of SMART
M195 in Asia have been licensed to PDL's collaborative partner, Kanebo, Ltd.
("Kanebo"), which is currently conducting a Phase I trial in Japan in patients
with AML.
 
     OST 577 (HUMAN ANTI-HEPATITIS B ANTIBODY).  OST 577 is a human antibody,
developed using the trioma technology and licensed by PDL from Novartis. OST 577
binds to the major protein present on hepatitis B virus ("HBV"), the hepatitis B
surface antigen. Infection with HBV is a common cause of liver
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
disease. In most cases of infection, the patient's immune response is sufficient
to ultimately eliminate the virus. However, an estimated 2% to 10% of
HBV-infected patients become chronic carriers of the virus, and about one-fourth
of these patients develop chronic hepatitis B ("CHB"), which is characterized by
progressive liver damage and often cirrhosis and liver cancer. In the U.S. there
are an estimated one million chronic carriers of HBV, with 300,000 new HBV
infections and more than 10,000 patients hospitalized due to HBV infections each
year. While interferon-alpha is approved in the U.S. for treatment of CHB, only
30-40% of treated patients respond to this treatment, which must be given over
four months and has significant side effects.
 
     In patients receiving liver transplants due to end-stage CHB, the virus
remaining after the transplant usually will rapidly infect and in many cases
destroy the new liver. An initial Phase I/II clinical trial of OST 577 enrolled
five patients receiving liver transplants due to end-stage CHB. In the clinical
trial, each patient received doses of OST 577 for up to 18 months after
transplantation. Three of the five treated patients showed no evidence of viral
recurrence more than one year after transplantation. The other two patients did
develop recurrence but remained asymptomatic for four years, after which one of
them developed symptoms.
 
     A Phase I/II clinical trial of OST 577 has also been completed in 12
patients with CHB. OST 577 was well tolerated by patients treated at the two
lower dose levels, but some reversible side effects were seen at the highest
level. Key markers for HBV infection decreased at least temporarily by 50% or
more in many of the patients during treatment. Specifically, such reductions
were seen in 5 of 10 patients for liver enzyme levels; in 10 of 12 for hepatitis
B surface antigen; and in 5 of 9 for viral DNA levels. Results obtained in early
clinical trials may not be predictive of results in larger, later-stage trials.
See "Risk Factors -- Uncertainty of Clinical Trial Results."
 
     PDL's development partner, Boehringer Mannheim, which has development and
marketing rights for therapeutic applications to OST 577 outside of North
America, has primary clinical development responsibility for this potential
product. In 1996, Boehringer Mannheim initiated a multinational, controlled
Phase II trial in patients with CHB, and has stated that it is designing a Phase
II/III trial in patients receiving liver transplants for end-stage liver disease
due to CHB. The Phase II trial in CHB is planned to enroll 200 patients and will
evaluate OST 577 both as a single agent and in combination with
interferon-alpha. PDL is considering the possibility of conducting independent
clinical trials with designs complementary to the Boehringer Mannheim trials. In
addition, Novartis has certain rights to co-promote or co-market this antibody
in North America or to receive royalties on product sales. See "-- Collaborative
and Licensing Arrangements -- Novartis."
 
     PROTOVIR (HUMAN ANTI-CMV ANTIBODY).  PROTOVIR is a human antibody, derived
using the trioma technology, that binds to all tested strains of human
cytomegalovirus ("CMV"). CMV is an important cause of morbidity and death in
patients with suppressed immune systems, such as AIDS patients and recipients of
solid organ and bone marrow transplants ("BMT").
 
     Bone marrow transplantation.  In BMT patients, CMV can cause often fatal
infections, such as pneumonia. Many transplant centers treat patients with
pooled human immunoglobulin preparations in an attempt to prevent CMV infection,
despite the high cost and limited efficacy of this treatment. The Company has
completed enrollment in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded Phase
II trial to assess the potential safety and efficacy of PROTOVIR for the
prevention of CMV infections in allogeneic (non-self) bone marrow transplant
patients. The study is comparing two dose levels of PROTOVIR against placebo in
approximately 168 evaluable patients. The primary endpoint of this study is the
incidence of CMV infections during the 100 days following the BMT. Historically,
such infections occur in 50-60% of these patients. Results of the study are
expected to be available in the first half of 1997 but there can be no assurance
that the results of the trial will be favorable. See "Risk
Factors -- Uncertainty of Clinical Trial Results."
 
     CMV retinitis.  The potential safety and efficacy of PROTOVIR was evaluated
in a Phase II/III clinical trial conducted by NEI SOCA for the treatment of CMV
retinitis, a common ophthalmic condition in AIDS patients that often leads to
blindness. In August 1996, NEI SOCA, acting on the recommendation of an
independent data and safety monitoring board, halted the study based on lack of
evidence of efficacy. Concurrently with the NEI SOCA trial, PROTOVIR also was
being evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
being conducted by NIAID ACTG for treatment of CMV retinitis. Based on the NEI
SOCA findings and actions, enrollment in the Phase II trial had been suspended,
and the trial was recently terminated.
 
     Exclusive rights for the therapeutic application of this antibody outside
of North America and Asia have been licensed to Boehringer Mannheim. In
addition, Novartis, from whom PDL licensed the antibody, has certain rights to
co-promote or co-market this antibody in North America and Asia or to receive
royalties on product sales. See "-- Collaborative and Licensing Arrangements."
 
PRECLINICAL PRODUCT CANDIDATES
 
     The following table summarizes the potential therapeutic indications and
commercial rights for certain of PDL's preclinical product candidates.
"Preclinical" development includes in vitro testing, efficacy and toxicology
testing in animals, process development and manufacturing scale-up prior to
initiation of clinical trials. The Company has other compounds in development in
addition to those described in the table below and is conducting research in
other areas. The development and commercialization of the Company's preclinical
product candidates are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. See "Risk
Factors."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       PRODUCT               POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS         COMMERCIAL RIGHTS(1)
- ----------------------  --------------------------------------------  ----------------------
<S>                     <C>                                           <C>
AUTOIMMUNE AND INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS
SMART Anti-L-Selectin   Trauma, adult respiratory distress syndrome   PDL and Boehringer
  Antibody                ("ARDS"), reperfusion injury                Mannheim
SMART Anti-E/P-         Stroke, trauma, certain autoimmune diseases   PDL
  Selectin Antibody       (e.g., psoriasis), asthma
SMART Anti-CD3          Organ transplant rejection and certain        PDL
  Antibody                autoimmune diseases
SMART Anti-Gamma        Certain autoimmune diseases (e.g.,            PDL
  Interferon Antibody     inflammatory bowel disease)
 
CANCER
SMART 1D10 Antibody     B-cell lymphoma                               PDL
SMART ABL 364 Antibody  Certain epithelial cell cancers including     PDL and Novartis
                          breast, lung and colon
 
VIRAL INFECTIONS
Human Anti-Varicella    Shingles (herpes zoster)                      PDL and Novartis
  Zoster Antibody
Human Anti-Herpes       Neonatal and genital herpes                   PDL and Novartis
  Antibody
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The development and marketing rights for each of these products differ. See
     "-- Collaborative and Licensing Arrangements."
 
     AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND INFLAMMATION.  Recent discoveries in immunology have
made possible a new therapeutic approach to inflammation resulting from such
causes as injury or autoimmune disease. Certain proteins called adhesion
molecules, located on the surface of various types of cells, play a key role in
inflammation by directing the movement of white blood cells from the bloodstream
into the sites of tissue inflammation. In laboratory experiments conducted by
PDL and others, antibodies have been shown to block the function of these
adhesion molecules, and in animal models these anti-adhesion antibodies have
been shown to be effective at reducing many types of inflammation.
 
     PDL has developed several SMART antibodies against adhesion molecules. One
of these antibodies, the SMART Anti-L-Selectin Antibody, binds to L-selectin, an
adhesion molecule on the surface of white blood cells. The Company believes that
potential indications for this antibody may include trauma, ARDS, reperfusion
injury (e.g., due to myocardial infarction or stroke) and possibly certain
autoimmune diseases. In
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
studies conducted by independent investigators, treatment with the SMART
Anti-L-Selectin Antibody resulted in a statistically significant improvement in
survival in a primate model that simulates severe trauma. Boehringer Mannheim,
which has licensed rights to this antibody outside of North America and Asia
from PDL, plans to begin clinical trials of the antibody in 1997, with an
initial indication of trauma.
 
     PDL's SMART Anti-E/P-Selectin Antibody binds to two different adhesion
molecules, E- and P-selectin, that occur on the surface of the cells on the
inner lining of blood vessels. The Company believes that potential indications
for such an antibody may include stroke, trauma, certain autoimmune diseases,
psoriasis and asthma. The Company is developing additional forms of the SMART
Anti-E/P-Selectin Antibody, from which it intends to select the final form.
 
     PDL's SMART Anti-CD3 Antibody binds to the CD3 antigen, a key receptor for
stimulation of T cells. The Company believes that potential indications for this
antibody may include treatment of organ transplant rejection and certain
autoimmune diseases.
 
     PDL's SMART Anti-Gamma-Interferon Antibody binds to and neutralizes gamma
interferon, a lymphokine that stimulates several types of white blood cells. The
Company believes that potential indications for this antibody may include
inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases.
 
     CANCER.  B-cell lymphomas, like leukemias, are a type of blood cancer that
the Company believes may be accessible to antibody-based treatments. PDL has
developed the SMART 1D10 Antibody, which binds to many malignant B cells, and is
currently evaluating it in preclinical studies. The Company is also evaluating a
bispecific antibody that incorporates the SMART 1D10 Antibody. To date
bispecific antibodies developed by PDL have not been tested in humans.
 
     PDL's SMART ABL 364 Antibody has potential for the treatment of many solid
tumors, including colon, lung and breast cancer. Initial laboratory tests have
shown that the SMART ABL 364 Antibody, in conjunction with other components of
the immune system, can kill cancer cells.
 
     VIRAL INFECTIONS.  Varicella zoster virus ("VZV") is the virus responsible
for causing chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster). Shingles, a painful
blistering condition of the skin, results from reactivation of the latent VZV
that initially infected the patient years earlier. In the U.S., 10-20% of the
population will develop shingles, with the incidence and severity increasing
with age. A significant percentage of patients with shingles experience
post-herpetic neuralgia, a very painful nerve condition which may last from
weeks to years in some patients. Current anti-viral therapies are moderately
effective in treating shingles, but have little or no effect on post-herpetic
neuralgia. PDL's Human Anti-Varicella Zoster Antibody effectively neutralizes
all tested strains of VZV in in vitro studies.
 
     Herpes simplex virus ("HSV") causes a painful recurring genital infection.
The virus also causes neonatal herpes, an uncommon but very serious disease of
newborn infants. PDL's Human Anti-Herpes Antibody binds to and effectively
neutralizes all strains of HSV tested, and is well-tolerated and non-immunogenic
in primates. In animal studies sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Disease Collaborative Antiviral Studies Group ("NIAID-CASG"), the
antibody effectively protected mice from a lethal herpes infection when
administered up to 72 hours after the virus. The Company believes that
competition from antiviral drugs and the present reimbursement environment may
limit the market opportunities for the Human Anti-Herpes Antibody in treating
genital herpes. The Company is currently exploring the possibility of providing
the antibody to NIAID-CASG under a Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement primarily for studies in neonatal herpes.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
PDL TECHNOLOGIES
 
     BACKGROUND ON ANTIBODIES.  Antibodies are protective proteins released by
the immune system's B cells, a type of white blood cell, in response to the
presence of a foreign substance in the body, such as a virus. B cells produce
millions of different kinds of antibodies, which have slightly different shapes
that enable them to bind to and thereby inactivate different targets. Antibodies
of identical molecular structure that bind to a specific target are called
monoclonal antibodies. Typically mice have been used to produce monoclonal
antibodies to a wide variety of molecular targets, including targets to which
the human body does not normally produce antibodies. In particular, many murine
antibodies have been developed as potential therapeutics to neutralize viruses,
destroy cancer cells or inhibit immune function.
 
     Although murine monoclonal antibodies are relatively easy to generate, they
have significant drawbacks as therapeutics. Murine antibodies have a relatively
short half-life in human patients, requiring them to be administered frequently.
Moreover, murine antibodies are not adapted to work effectively with the human
immune system and therefore often have limited ability to destroy the target,
such as cancer cells. Most importantly, when injected into human patients, a
murine antibody is usually recognized by the body's immune system as being
foreign. The immune system therefore responds with a HAMA response, which
rapidly neutralizes the murine antibody and renders it ineffective for further
therapy. These problems have largely prevented murine antibodies from fulfilling
their promise as therapeutics.
 
     More recently, improved forms of antibodies, such as humanized and chimeric
antibodies, have been developed using recombinant DNA technology. These new
antibodies can minimize or avoid many of the problems associated with murine
antibodies and have led to a resurgence of interest in antibody therapeutics by
the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. As a result of these advances,
many recombinant antibodies are now progressing into clinical trials. In a list
of biotechnology medicines under clinical development published in 1996 by the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, antibodies comprised the
single largest category, representing 78 of 284 products listed. In particular,
PDL is aware of more than twenty recombinant antibodies in clinical trials,
including several antibodies addressing large markets that are being developed
by major pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, ReoPro, a recombinant antibody
fragment developed by Centocor for reducing complications in patients undergoing
angioplasty is being marketed by Eli Lilly.
 
     PDL'S SMART ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY.  PDL believes that its patented SMART
antibody technology has positioned the Company as a leader in the development of
therapeutic antibodies that overcome the problems associated with murine
antibodies. PDL's SMART antibodies are human-like antibodies designed using
structural information from promising murine antibodies to capture the benefits
of such antibodies while overcoming many of their limitations in treating
humans. Clinical trials and preclinical studies have shown that PDL's SMART
antibodies generally avoid a HAMA response and have a longer half-life than
murine antibodies.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
     Every antibody contains two regions, a variable domain that binds to the
target and a constant domain that interacts with other portions of the immune
system. The variable domain is composed of the complementarity determining
regions ("CDRs") that directly bind to the target and the framework region that
holds the CDRs in position and helps maintain their required shape (see figure
below). Researchers have used genetic engineering to construct "humanized"
antibodies that consist of the CDRs from a murine antibody with the framework
region and constant domain from a human antibody. However, when the CDRs from
the murine antibody are combined with the framework of the human antibody, the
human framework often distorts the shape of the CDRs so they no longer bind well
to the target. Therefore, it is usually necessary to substitute one or more
amino acids from the murine antibody into the framework of the humanized
antibody for it to maintain the binding ability of the murine antibody.
 
                                      LOGO
 
     A SMART antibody is a humanized antibody designed by using PDL's
proprietary computer technology to guide the choice of substitutions of amino
acids from the murine antibody into the human antibody framework, based on
structural information derived from the murine antibody. The construction of a
SMART antibody starts with the identification of a murine antibody that has
demonstrated favorable results in laboratory, animal or human studies. A model
of the murine antibody is generated using proprietary computer modeling software
that predicts the shapes of antibodies and eliminates the need for more
time-consuming laboratory techniques. The resulting model is carefully analyzed
to identify the few key amino acids in the framework most responsible for
maintaining the shape of the CDRs. Software developed at PDL as well as the
experience of the Company's computational chemists is important in this
analysis. These few key murine amino acids are substituted into the human
framework of the SMART antibody along with the murine CDRs in order to maintain
their ability to bind well to the target. The resulting SMART antibody retains
most or all of the binding ability of the murine antibody, but is about 90%
human.
 
     In 1996, the Company was issued U.S. and European patents which cover, in
most circumstances, humanized antibodies that contain amino acid substitutions
from the murine antibody in their framework. The Company believes that most
humanized antibodies require such amino acid substitutions in order to maintain
high binding ability. The patents also cover pharmaceutical compositions
containing such humanized antibodies and other aspects of PDL's SMART antibody
technology. PDL has filed similar patent applications in Japan and other
countries. See "-- Patents and Proprietary Technology."
 
     OTHER PDL TECHNOLOGIES.  In addition to its SMART antibody technology, PDL
employs additional antibody-based drug development technologies to overcome
shortcomings of murine antibodies. The Company is also pursuing a rational drug
design program that leverages its computer expertise to potentially develop new
drug candidates.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
     Human Antibodies.  The use of fully human monoclonal antibodies is another
approach to avoiding many of the problems associated with murine antibodies. In
April 1993, PDL exclusively licensed from Novartis its patented "trioma"
technology to generate certain human antibodies, along with four human anti-
viral antibodies. Two of these human antibodies, OST 577 and PROTOVIR, are in
clinical development. The trioma technology is used to produce fully human
antibodies against viruses and potentially other organisms which infect humans.
A key aspect of the technology is the use of a mouse-human hybrid cell line as
the fusion partner to immortalize human antibody-producing B cells. Trioma cell
lines generated in this manner often stably produce human antibodies. As with
SMART antibodies, clinical trials and preclinical studies have shown that PDL's
human antibodies generally avoid a HAMA response and have a longer half-life
than murine antibodies. See "-- Collaborative and Licensing
Arrangements -- Novartis."
 
     New Technologies.  The Company is pursuing a rational drug design program
focusing on small molecules by extending the Company's computer modeling tools
originally developed for its SMART antibody program. Rational drug design
utilizes computer models of proteins and their interactions with smaller
molecules in order to accelerate discovery and optimization of new drug
compounds. Although PDL's technology is at an early stage, the Company believes
that this application of its modeling algorithms may ultimately be used to
develop non-antibody drug candidates. In addition, the Company plans to extend
its research activities into other new areas, potentially including the
development of novel classes of antibiotics for treating infections.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     PDL's objective is to leverage its research expertise and intellectual
property in the field of antibodies to become a profitable, research-based
biopharmaceutical company that manufactures and, in North America, markets its
own products. PDL's strategy to achieve this objective involves the following
elements:
 
     Expand Product Portfolio.  The Company believes that its SMART antibody
technology is capable of converting essentially any promising murine antibody
into a humanized antibody better suited for therapeutic use. As a result, the
Company has been able to rapidly develop a broad portfolio of product candidates
with potential applications to the prevention and treatment of autoimmune and
inflammatory conditions, cancers, viral infections, and other diseases. This
diverse product pipeline enhances commercial opportunities and reduces the
Company's reliance on individual products.
 
     Establish Collaborative Arrangements.  The Company actively seeks corporate
partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, and to date has entered into
partnerships with eight such companies. Typically, the Company receives a
licensing fee, research funding and/or milestone payments, and royalties on
potential product sales in return for certain marketing rights to one or more
potential products developed at PDL. These revenues help to defray PDL's own
product development expenses, while the partner typically bears significant
direct responsibility for certain product development activities and expenses.
 
   
     Leverage Patent Position.  An important new aspect of PDL's business
strategy is to obtain both near-term revenues and potential royalties by
licensing limited rights under its issued humanized antibody patents and
corresponding patent applications to other companies developing humanized
antibodies. In December 1996 and February 1997, PDL entered into its first two
such licensing agreements, with Sankyo Co., Ltd. ("Sankyo") and Biogen, Inc.
("Biogen"), respectively. The Company's patents are also helpful in inducing
other companies to enter into collaborative relationships with the Company, in
which PDL uses its proprietary technology to develop SMART antibodies based on
promising murine antibodies developed by the other companies. PDL has entered
into six such relationships, including four since December 1995. In addition to
paying PDL license and other fees, in some cases the other companies have
granted PDL options to obtain North American co-promotion rights.
    
 
     Retain and Obtain North American Marketing Rights.  Where appropriate, PDL
retains and obtains North American marketing or co-promotion rights to many of
its potential products. This strategy provides the Company with future
opportunities to generate greater revenues.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
COLLABORATIVE AND LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS
 
     Roche.  In 1989, PDL entered into agreements with Roche to collaborate on
the research and development of SMART antibodies against the IL-2 receptor,
including Zenapax. Under these agreements, Roche has exclusive, worldwide rights
to manufacture, market and sell Zenapax. The arrangement provides for research
and development funding, milestone and bonus payments and future royalties that
could be received by PDL under the agreements. Most of such milestone and bonus
payments have already been received from Roche, and Roche has completed its
research funding to PDL under these agreements, although Roche will continue to
fund its own clinical development activities.
 
     In October 1996, PDL entered into a collaborative agreement with Roche
providing for the humanization by PDL of a murine antibody that has potential
for treating rheumatoid arthritis. PDL received a licensing and signing fee and
can earn milestone payments and royalties on potential product sales of this
compound by Roche.
 
     Corange/Boehringer Mannheim.  In October 1993, PDL and Corange entered into
a collaborative arrangement providing for the grant of exclusive marketing
rights in certain territories for a number of products in development. In
consideration for these rights, Corange paid to PDL a $10 million licensing and
signing fee and $30 million in research and development funding over three years
and agreed to certain milestone payments and the payment of royalties on future
product sales. As part of this arrangement, PDL and Corange further committed to
negotiate additional agreements under which each company would manufacture and
supply the other with certain of the antibodies covered by the collaborative
arrangement for use in clinical trials and potential future product sales. As
part of this collaborative arrangement, PDL and Corange also entered into a
stock purchase agreement, a standstill agreement and a registration rights
agreement pursuant to which Corange invested an aggregate of $75 million in PDL
through the purchase of approximately 2.433 million newly issued shares of
common stock in December 1993 and 1994. Product rights and duties under this
arrangement were subsequently assigned and delegated to Corange's subsidiary,
Boehringer Mannheim.
 
     In 1994 and 1995, the parties amended certain of the agreements in this
collaborative arrangement. As part of these amendments, the parties agreed to
terminate Boehringer Mannheim's rights to certain preclinical products. As a
result, Boehringer Mannheim currently has exclusive marketing rights outside of
North America and Asia for PROTOVIR and the SMART Anti-L-Selectin Antibody,
exclusive marketing rights outside of North America for OST 577, and North
American co-promotion rights and exclusive marketing rights outside of North
America for an additional antibody to an undisclosed cardiovascular target. The
parties further agreed to allocate primary responsibility for clinical
development and manufacturing of PDL's Human Anti-Hepatitis B Antibody to
Boehringer Mannheim and for clinical development and manufacturing of PROTOVIR
to PDL. In addition, as part of these amendments, Boehringer Mannheim agreed to
provide certain clinical material manufactured by Boehringer Mannheim to PDL
without charge for PDL's use in preclinical and clinical research. The amendment
also provides that Boehringer Mannheim will assume the development and
manufacturing expenses related to the OST 577 Human Anti-Hepatitis B Antibody,
subject to reimbursement of certain clinical trial expenses by PDL of up to $2
million toward Phase II studies and up to $8.8 million for Phase III studies, if
certain conditions are met. As a result of these amendments, PDL is no longer
eligible to receive milestone payments with respect to OST 577 and PROTOVIR. In
the first quarter of 1996, Boehringer Mannheim made a milestone payment to PDL
with respect to the SMART Anti-L-Selectin Antibody.
 
     Yamanouchi.  In February 1991, PDL and Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
("Yamanouchi") entered into a collaborative agreement providing for the
humanization of a murine anti-platelet (anti-gpIIb/IIIa) antibody developed by
Yamanouchi for potentially treating certain cardiovascular disorders. PDL has
completed humanization of the antibody and Yamanouchi is currently in the
preclinical stage of development with this humanized antibody. Yamanouchi has
exclusive, worldwide rights to the resulting SMART antibody and is responsible
for all clinical trials and for obtaining necessary government regulatory
approvals. The agreement provides for milestone payments, all of which have been
received, and royalties on future product sales.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
   
     Kanebo.  In February 1992, PDL and Kanebo entered into a product licensing
agreement whereby Kanebo received an exclusive license to the SMART M195
Antibody for therapeutic uses in certain Asian countries including Japan in
exchange for a licensing and signing fee, research funding, milestone payments
and royalties on potential product sales. The research funding period under the
agreement expired in September 1993. Also in September 1993 and May 1995, PDL
entered into purchase agreements with Kanebo pursuant to which PDL sold Kanebo
preclinical and clinical quantities of the SMART M195 Antibody. Kanebo is
currently conducting a Phase I clinical trial of the SMART M195 Antibody in
Japan.
    
 
     Novartis.  In April 1993, PDL and Novartis entered into agreements
providing for the grant of exclusive licenses to PDL of four human anti-viral
antibodies and other related technology and antibodies from Novartis. The human
monoclonal antibodies target cytomegalovirus, the hepatitis B virus, herpes
simplex viruses, and varicella zoster virus. In addition, PDL received an
exclusive license to the SMART ABL 364 Antibody, an antibody previously
humanized by PDL for Novartis, and the related murine antibody, ABL 364, of
Novartis. This arrangement also included exclusive licenses to the Novartis
trioma human antibody technology and patents as well as the purchase of certain
antibody supplies and related manufacturing equipment. In consideration for the
licenses and assets transferred, PDL initially paid Novartis $5 million and
agreed to provide up to an additional $5 million in future milestone payments in
the event of certain product approvals under the agreements.
 
     Under the terms of the Novartis agreements, PDL has the right to
manufacture and market the antibodies acquired from Novartis throughout the
world. Novartis retained certain co-promotion and co-marketing rights, and
rights to royalties on sales by PDL of licensed products in countries where
Novartis does not sell these antibodies with PDL under the co-promotion and
co-marketing arrangements. In November 1993, PDL paid Novartis an additional
$2.75 million to amend the April 1993 agreement relating to the human antibodies
in order to terminate certain of Novartis' co-promotion and co-marketing rights
in countries outside of the U.S., Canada and Asia and to reduce royalties
Novartis may earn from the sale of human antibody products in countries outside
of the U.S., Canada and Asia.
 
   
     Mochida.  In December 1995, PDL and Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.,
("Mochida") entered into a collaborative agreement providing for the
humanization by PDL of a murine antibody that has potential for treating certain
infectious diseases. To date, PDL has received a licensing and signing fee of $1
million and a milestone payment and can earn a further milestone payment and
royalties on potential product sales of this compound by Mochida. In addition,
PDL has an option to co-promote the compound in North America.
    
 
   
     Japanese Collaborator.  In September 1996, PDL entered into a collaborative
agreement with another Japanese company providing for the humanization by PDL of
a murine antibody that has potential for treating cancer. PDL received a
licensing and signing fee of $1 million and can earn milestone payments and
royalties on potential product sales of this compound by the Japanese company.
PDL also has an option to co-promote the compound in North America. The name of
the Japanese company has not been disclosed.
    
 
   
     Sankyo.  In December 1996, PDL entered into a patent license agreement with
Sankyo pursuant to which PDL granted a worldwide, nonexclusive license under its
humanized antibody patents to that company for an antibody to a specific target
antigen. PDL received a $1 million licensing and signing fee and will receive
royalties on potential product sales. The name of the antibody target has not
been disclosed.
    
 
     Genetics Institute.  In December 1996, PDL and Genetics Institute, Inc.
("Genetics Institute"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Home Products,
entered into a collaborative agreement pursuant to which PDL will initially
develop three humanized monoclonal antibodies based on murine antibodies
developed by Genetics Institute that modulate the immune co-stimulatory pathway.
In addition, Genetics Institute received a worldwide, nonexclusive license for
those antibodies under PDL's humanized antibody patents. PDL received a $2.5
million licensing and signing fee and is entitled to receive milestone payments
and royalties on potential product sales. In addition, PDL received an option to
co-promote the products in North America (U.S. and Canada). The agreement
contemplates that PDL may collaborate with Genetics Institute to humanize
additional antibodies in the field.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
   
     Biogen.  In February 1997, PDL entered into a patent license agreement with
Biogen pursuant to which PDL granted a worldwide, nonexclusive license under its
humanized antibody patents to that company for an antibody to a specific target
antigen. PDL received a $1 million licensing and signing fee and will receive
royalties on potential product sales. The name of the antibody target has not
been disclosed.
    
 
     For a discussion of certain risks related to the Company's collaborations,
see "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Collaborative Partners."
 
     Molecular Applications Group.  PDL has licensed from Molecular Applications
Group exclusive rights to certain protein modeling software. PDL uses this
software in designing its SMART antibodies. PDL paid an initial license fee upon
execution of this license and is obligated to pay an additional fixed fee each
year, subject to certain adjustments.
 
     Certain Patent Licenses.  In July 1989, PDL obtained a nonexclusive license
under certain patents from the Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom
("MRC License") to an antibody "reshaping" process, which allows the exchange of
complementarity determining regions from different antibodies. PDL paid an
initial license fee upon execution of the MRC License and is obligated to pay
royalties on sales of products covered by the licensed patents. Each of PDL's
SMART antibody products may be within the scope of the MRC License. In addition,
the MRC License includes a sublicense to the Boss Patent held by Celltech
relating to PDL's current process for producing SMART antibodies. In October
1994, PDL obtained a non-exclusive license from Celltech to the Boss Patent
relating to PDL's current process for producing certain other PDL potential
products, including OST 577 and PROTOVIR.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
     PDL currently leases approximately 45,000 square feet housing its
manufacturing facility in Plymouth, Minnesota. The Company intends to
manufacture the SMART M195 Antibody, PROTOVIR, if clinical trials warrant
continued development, and some of its other products in preclinical
development. PDL intends to continue to manufacture potential products for use
in preclinical studies and clinical trials using this manufacturing facility in
accordance with standard procedures that comply with cGMP and appropriate
regulatory standards. Roche is responsible for manufacturing Zenapax and
Boehringer Mannheim is responsible for manufacturing OST 577.
 
     In order to obtain regulatory approvals and to expand its capacity to
produce its products for commercial sale at an acceptable cost, PDL will need to
improve and expand its existing manufacturing capabilities and demonstrate to
the FDA its ability to manufacture its products using controlled, reproducible
processes. Accordingly, the Company is evaluating plans to improve and expand
the capacity of its current facility. Such plans, if instituted, would result in
substantial costs to the Company and may require a suspension of manufacturing
operations during construction. See "Risk Factors -- Absence of Manufacturing
Experience; Dependence on Manufacturing by Boehringer Mannheim" and
"-- Uncertainties Resulting From Manufacturing Changes."
 
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY
 
     The Company's success is significantly dependent on its ability to obtain
patent protection for its products and technologies and to preserve its trade
secrets and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third
parties. PDL files and prosecutes patent applications to protect its inventions.
No assurance can be given that the Company's pending patent applications will
result in the issuance of patents or that any patents will provide competitive
advantages or will not be invalidated or circumvented by its competitors.
Moreover, no assurance can be given that patents are not issued to, or patent
applications have not been filed by, other companies which would have an adverse
effect on the Company's ability to use, manufacture or market its products or
maintain its competitive position with respect to its products. Other companies
obtaining patents claiming products or processes useful to the Company may bring
infringement actions against the Company. As a result, the Company may be
required to obtain licenses from others or not be able to use, manufacture or
market its products. Such licenses may not be available on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
   
     Patents in the U.S. are issued to the party that is first to invent the
claimed invention. Since patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in
secrecy until patents issue, PDL cannot be certain that it was the first
inventor of the invention covered by its pending patent applications or patents
or that it was the first to file patent applications for such inventions.
    
 
   
     The patent positions of biotechnology firms generally are highly uncertain
and involve complex legal and factual questions. No consistent policy has
emerged regarding the validity and scope of claims in biotechnology patents, and
courts have issued varying interpretations in the recent past, and legal
standards concerning validity, scope and interpretation of claims in
biotechnology patents may continue to evolve. Even issued patents may later be
modified or revoked by the PTO, EPO or the courts. Moreover, the issuance of a
patent in one country does not assure the issuance of a patent with similar
claims in another country, and claim interpretation and infringement laws vary
among countries, so the extent of any patent protection is uncertain and may
vary in different countries.
    
 
     PDL has several patents and has exclusively licensed certain patents
regarding the trioma technique and related antibodies from Novartis. In
particular with respect to humanization technology, in June 1996, PDL was issued
a U.S. patent covering Zenapax and certain related antibodies against the IL-2
receptor. In addition, PDL is currently prosecuting other patent applications
with the PTO and in other countries, including members of the European Patent
Convention, Canada, Japan and Australia. The patent applications are directed to
various aspects of PDL's SMART and human antibodies, antibody technology and
other programs, and include claims relating to compositions of matter, methods
of preparation and use of a number of PDL's compounds. However, PDL does not
know whether any pending applications will result in the issuance of patents or
whether such patents will provide protection of commercial significance.
Further, there can be no assurance that PDL's patents will prevent others from
developing competitive products using related technology.
 
   
     In January and December 1996, PDL was issued patents by the EPO and PTO,
respectively. PDL believes the patent claims cover Zenapax and, based on its
review of the scientific literature, most humanized antibodies. The terms of
such patents continue until 2013 in the U.S. and 2009 in Europe, subject to
possible patent term extensions. The EPO patent applies in the United Kingdom,
Germany, France, Italy and eight other Western European countries. The EPO (but
not PTO) procedures provide for a nine-month opposition period in which other
parties may submit arguments as to why the patent was incorrectly granted and
should be withdrawn or limited. The entire opposition process, including
appeals, may take several years to complete, and during this lengthy process,
the validity of the EPO patent will be at issue, which may limit the Company's
ability to negotiate or collect royalties or to negotiate future collaborative
research and development agreements based on this patent. Eighteen notices of
opposition to PDL's European patent were filed during the opposition period,
including oppositions by major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which
cited references and made arguments not considered by the EPO and PTO before
grant of the respective patents. The oppositions currently are being reviewed by
the Company's patent counsel. PDL intends to vigorously defend the European and,
if necessary, the U.S. patent; however there can be no assurance that the
Company will prevail in the opposition proceedings or any litigation contesting
the validity or scope of these patents. In addition, such proceedings or
litigation, or any other proceedings or litigation to protect the Company's
intellectual property rights or defend against infringement claims by others,
could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's time and
attention, which could have a material adverse effect on the business and
financial condition of the Company.
    
 
     A number of companies, universities and research institutions have filed
patent applications or received patents in the areas of antibodies and other
fields relating to PDL's programs. Some of these applications or patents may be
competitive with PDL's applications or contain claims that conflict with those
made under PDL's patent applications or patents. Such conflict could prevent
issuance of patents to PDL, provoke an interference with PDL's patents or result
in a significant reduction in the scope or invalidation of PDL's patents, if
issued. An interference is an administrative proceeding conducted by the PTO to
determine the priority of invention and other matters relating to the decision
to grant patents. Moreover, if patents are held by or issued to other parties
that contain claims relating to PDL's products or processes, and such claims are
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
ultimately determined to be valid, no assurance can be given that PDL would be
able to obtain licenses to these patents at a reasonable cost, if at all, or to
develop or obtain alternative technology.
 
     The Company is aware that Celltech has been granted a patent by the EPO
covering certain humanized antibodies, which PDL has opposed, and Celltech has
announced that it has received a notice of allowance of a corresponding U.S.
patent (the "U.S. Adair Patent") and expects the patent to issue in early 1997.
Because U.S. patent applications are maintained in secrecy, PDL cannot review
the scope of the claims in the U.S. Adair Patent. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that such claims would not cover any of PDL's SMART antibodies or be
competitive with or conflict with claims in PDL's patents or patent
applications. If the U.S. Adair Patent issues and if it is determined to be
valid and to cover any of PDL's SMART antibodies, there can be no assurance that
PDL would be able to obtain a license on commercially reasonable terms, if at
all. If the claims of the U.S. Adair Patent conflict with claims in PDL's
patents or patent applications, there can be no assurance that an interference
would not be declared by the PTO, which could take several years to resolve and
could involve significant expense to the Company. Also, such conflict could
prevent issuance of patents to PDL relating to humanization of antibodies or
result in a significant reduction in the scope or invalidation of PDL's patents,
if issued. Moreover, uncertainty as to the validity or scope of patents issued
to PDL relating generally to humanization of antibodies may limit the Company's
ability to negotiate or collect royalties or to negotiate future collaborative
research and development agreements based on this patent.
 
     PDL has obtained a nonexclusive license under a patent held by Celltech
(the "Boss Patent") relating to PDL's current process for producing SMART and
human antibodies. An interference proceeding was declared in early 1991 by the
PTO between the Boss Patent and a patent application filed by Genentech to which
PDL does not have a license. PDL is not a party to the interference proceeding,
and the timing and outcome of the proceeding or the scope of any patent that may
be subsequently issued cannot be predicted. If the Genentech patent application
were held to have priority over the Boss Patent, and if it were determined that
PDL's processes and products were covered by a patent issuing from such patent
application, PDL may be required to obtain a license under such patent or to
significantly alter its processes or products. There can be no assurance that
PDL would be able to successfully alter its processes or products to avoid
infringing such patent or to obtain such a license on commercially reasonable
terms, if at all, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect
on PDL.
 
     The Company is aware that Lonza Biologics, Inc. has a patent issued in
Europe to which PDL does not have a license (although Roche has advised the
Company that it has a license covering Zenapax), which may cover the process the
Company uses to produce its potential products. If it were determined that PDL's
processes were covered by such patent, PDL may be required to obtain a license
under such patent or to significantly alter its processes or products, if
necessary to manufacture or import its products in Europe. There can be no
assurance that PDL would be able to successfully alter its processes or products
to avoid infringing such patent or to obtain such a license on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all, and the failure to do so could have a material
adverse effect on the business and financial condition of the Company.
 
     Also, Genentech has patents in the U.S. and Europe that relate to chimeric
antibodies. The European patent is currently in the opposition process. If
Genentech were to assert that the Company's SMART antibodies infringe these
patents, PDL may have to choose whether to seek a license or to challenge in
court the validity of such patents or Genentech's claim of infringement. There
can be no assurance that PDL would be successful in either obtaining such a
license on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, or that it would be
successful in such a challenge of the Genentech patents, and the failure to do
so would have a material adverse effect on the business and financial condition
of the Company.
 
     In addition to seeking the protection of patents and licenses, PDL also
relies upon trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological innovation
which it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with employees
consultants, suppliers and licensees. There can be no assurance that these
agreements will not be breached, that PDL would have adequate remedies for any
breach or that PDL's trade secrets will not otherwise become known or
independently developed by competitors.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     The manufacturing, testing and marketing of PDL's products are subject to
regulation by numerous governmental authorities in the U.S. and other countries
based upon their safety and efficacy. In the U.S., pharmaceutical (biologic)
products are subject to rigorous FDA regulation. The federal Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act ("FD&C Act"), Public Health Service Act ("PHS Act") and other
federal, state and local regulations govern the manufacture, testing, labeling,
storage, record keeping, clinical and nonclinical studies to assess safety and
efficacy, approval, advertising and promotion of pharmaceutical products. The
process of developing and obtaining approval for a new pharmaceutical product
within this regulatory framework requires a number of years and the expenditure
of substantial resources. There can be no assurance that necessary approvals
will be obtained on a timely basis, if at all.
 
     In addition to the requirement for FDA approval of each pharmaceutical
product, each pharmaceutical product manufacturing facility must be registered
with, and approved by, the FDA. The manufacturing and quality control procedures
must conform to cGMP in order to receive FDA approval. Pharmaceutical product
manufacturing establishments are subject to inspections by the FDA and local
authorities as well as inspections by authorities of other countries. To supply
pharmaceutical products for use in the U.S., foreign manufacturing
establishments must comply with cGMP and are subject to periodic inspection by
the FDA or by corresponding regulatory agencies in such countries under
reciprocal agreements with the FDA. Moreover, pharmaceutical product
manufacturing facilities may also be regulated by state, local and other
authorities.
 
     For marketing of pharmaceutical products outside the U.S., PDL is subject
to foreign regulatory requirements governing marketing approval, and FDA and
other U.S. export provisions should the pharmaceutical product be manufactured
in the U.S. Requirements relating to the manufacturing, conduct of clinical
trials, product licensing, promotion, pricing and reimbursement vary widely in
different countries. Difficulties or unanticipated costs or price controls may
be encountered by PDL or its licensees or its marketing partners in their
respective efforts to secure necessary governmental approvals to market the
potential pharmaceutical products, which could delay or preclude PDL or its
licensees or its marketing partners from marketing their potential
pharmaceutical products.
 
     The basic steps required by the FDA before a new pharmaceutical product for
human use may be marketed in the U.S. include (i) preclinical laboratory and
animal tests, (ii) submission to the FDA of an application for an
Investigational New Drug ("IND") which must be reviewed by the FDA before
clinical trials may begin, (iii) completion of adequate and well-controlled
human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the pharmaceutical
product for its intended use, (iv) as of May 1996 for therapeutic monoclonal
antibodies, submission of a Biologics License Application ("BLA") to the FDA,
and (v) FDA approval of the BLA prior to any commercial sale or shipment of the
pharmaceutical product.
 
     Preclinical tests for safety are conducted in the laboratory and in animals
in compliance with FDA good laboratory practices regulations and other
additional tests are conducted to assess the potential safety and biological
activity of the pharmaceutical product in order to support a sponsor's
contention that it is reasonably safe to conduct proposed clinical
investigations. The results of these studies are submitted to the FDA as part of
an IND. Testing in humans may begin 30 days after filing an IND unless the FDA
requests additional information or raises questions or concerns that must be
resolved before the FDA will permit the study to proceed. In such cases, there
can be no assurance that resolution will be achieved in a timely manner, if at
all.
 
     Clinical trials are conducted in accordance with good clinical practices
based on regulations promulgated by the FDA and under protocols that include
detail on the objectives of the trial, the parameters to be used to monitor
safety, and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol must be
submitted to the FDA as part of an IND. Further, each clinical trial must be
reviewed and approved by an independent institutional review board ("IRB") at
each of the medical institutions at which the trial will be conducted. There can
be no assurance that submission of a protocol to an IRB or an IND to the FDA
will result in the initiation or completion of a clinical investigation.
Clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases, although the
phases may overlap. In Phase I, the pharmaceutical product is typically tested
in a small number of healthy people or patients to initially determine safety,
dose tolerance (including side effects associated with increasing doses),
metabolism, distribution and excretion. Phase II usually involves studies in a
limited patient
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
population to obtain a preliminary determination of efficacy, to identify an
optimal dose and to further identify safety risks. Phase III trials are larger,
multi-center trials undertaken to provide further confirmation of efficacy and
provide additional safety information in a specific patient population. The FDA
reviews the results of the trials and may discontinue them at any time for
safety reasons or other reasons if they were deemed to be non-compliant with FDA
regulations. There can be no assurance that Phase I, II or III clinical trials
will be completed successfully within any specific time period, if at all, with
respect to any of the Company's or its collaborators' pharmaceutical products,
each of which is subject to such testing requirements.
 
     Recently, the FDA has been engaged in regulatory reform efforts aimed at
reducing the regulatory burden on manufacturers of certain biotechnology
products. For example, in May 1996, the FDA issued regulations that eliminate
the previous requirement of a separate establishment license application, in
addition to the product license application, for certain categories of
biotechnology products, including the pharmaceutical products of the Company.
Furthermore, the FDA has announced its intention to adopt a single approval
application for all pharmaceutical products. There can be no assurance, however,
that implementation of these changes will benefit the Company or otherwise
reduce the regulatory requirements applicable to the Company or that these
changes will not result in the imposition of other, more burdensome obligations
on the Company in connection with regulatory review of the Company's products.
In any event, the results of the preclinical and clinical trials and a
description of the manufacturing process and tests to control the quality of the
pharmaceutical product must be submitted to the FDA in a BLA for approval. The
approval process is likely to require substantial time and resource commitment
by an applicant. Approval is influenced by a number of factors, including the
severity of the disease being treated, availability of alternative treatments,
and the risks and benefits of the proposed therapeutic as demonstrated in the
clinical trials. Additional data or clinical trials may be requested by the FDA
and may delay approval. There is no assurance that FDA approval will be granted
on a timely basis, if at all. After FDA approval for the initial indications and
dosage forms, further studies may be required by the FDA to gain approval for
labeling of the pharmaceutical product for other disease indications or dosage
forms, or to monitor for adverse effects. Both before and after approval is
obtained, a pharmaceutical product, its manufacturer and the holder of the BLA
for the pharmaceutical product are subject to comprehensive regulatory
oversight. The FDA may deny a BLA if applicable regulatory criteria are not
satisfied, require additional testing or information or require postmarketing
testing and surveillance to monitor the safety or efficacy of the pharmaceutical
product. Moreover, even if regulatory approval is granted, such approval may be
subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the pharmaceutical
product may be marketed. Further, approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with
regulatory standards is not maintained or if problems with the pharmaceutical
product occur following approval. Among the conditions for BLA approval is the
requirement that the manufacturer of the pharmaceutical product comply with
cGMP. In addition, under a BLA, the manufacturer continues to be subject to
facility inspection and the applicant must assume responsibility for compliance
with applicable pharmaceutical product and establishment standards. Violations
of regulatory requirements at any stage may result in various adverse
consequences, including FDA refusal to accept a license application, total or
partial suspension of licensure, delay in approving or refusal to approve the
pharmaceutical product or pending marketing approval applications, warning
letters, fines, injunctions, withdrawal of the previously approved
pharmaceutical product or marketing approvals and/or the imposition of criminal
penalties against the manufacturer and/or BLA holders. In addition, later
discovery of previously unknown problems may result in new restrictions on such
pharmaceutical product, manufacturer and/or BLA holders, including withdrawal of
the pharmaceutical product or marketing approvals and pharmaceutical product
recalls or seizures.
 
     In addition to regulations enforced by the FDA, the Company is subject to
federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, generation,
manufacture, storage, discharge, handling and disposal of certain materials and
wastes used in its operations, some of which are classified as "hazardous."
There can be no assurance that the Company will not be required to incur
significant costs to comply with environmental laws, the Occupational Safety and
Health Act, and state, local and foreign counterparts to such laws, rules and
regulations as its manufacturing and research activities are increased or that
the operations, business and future profitability of the Company will not be
adversely affected by current or future laws, rules and regulations.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
     Although the Company believes that its safety processes and procedures and
its handling and disposing of materials and wastes comply with applicable laws,
rules and regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these
materials cannot be eliminated. In the event of such an accident, the Company
could be held liable for any damages that result and any such liability could
exceed the resources of the Company. In addition, the Company cannot predict the
extent of the adverse effect on its business or the financial and other costs
that might result from any new government requirements arising out of future
legislative, administrative or judicial actions. Compliance with such laws,
rules and regulations does not have, nor is such compliance presently expected
to have, a material adverse effect on its business. However, the Company cannot
predict the extent of the adverse effect on its business or the financial and
other costs that might result from any new government requirements arising out
of future legislative, administrative or judicial actions.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company's potential products are intended to address a wide variety of
disease conditions, including autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions,
cancers and viral infections. Competition with respect to these disease
conditions is intense and is expected to increase. This competition involves,
among other things, successful research and development efforts, obtaining
appropriate regulatory approvals, establishing and defending intellectual
property rights, successful product manufacturing, marketing, distribution,
market and physician acceptance, patient compliance, price and potentially
securing eligibility for reimbursement or payment for the use of the Company's
product. The Company believes its most significant competitors may be fully
integrated pharmaceutical companies with substantial expertise in research and
development, manufacturing, testing, obtaining regulatory approvals, marketing
and securing eligibility for reimbursement or payment, and substantially greater
financial and other resources than the Company. Smaller companies also may prove
to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements
with large pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, academic institutions,
governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations
conduct research, seek patent protection, and establish collaborative
arrangements for product development, clinical development and marketing. These
companies and institutions also compete with the Company in recruiting and
retaining highly qualified personnel. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical
industries are subject to rapid and substantial technological change. The
Company's competitors may develop and introduce other technologies or approaches
to accomplishing the intended purposes of the Company's products which may
render the Company's technologies and products noncompetitive and obsolete.
 
     In addition to currently marketed competitive drugs, the Company is aware
of potential products in research or development by its competitors that address
all of the diseases being targeted by the Company. These and other products may
compete directly with the potential products being developed by the Company. In
this regard, the Company is aware that potential competitors are developing
antibodies or other compounds for treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory
conditions, cancers and viral infections. In particular, a number of other
companies have developed and will continue to develop human antibodies and
humanized antibodies. In addition, protein design is being actively pursued at a
number of academic and commercial organizations, and several companies have
developed or may develop technologies that can compete with the Company's SMART
and human antibody technologies. There can be no assurance that competitors will
not succeed in more rapidly developing and marketing technologies and products
that are more effective than the products being developed by the Company or that
would render the Company's products or technology obsolete or noncompetitive.
Further, there can be no assurance that the Company's collaborative partners
will not independently develop products competitive with those licensed to such
partners by the Company, thereby reducing the likelihood that the Company will
receive revenues under its agreements with such partners.
 
     Any potential product that the Company succeeds in developing and for which
it gains regulatory approval must then compete for market acceptance and market
share. For certain of the Company's potential products, an important factor will
be the timing of market introduction of competitive products. Accordingly, the
relative speed with which the Company and competing companies can develop
products, complete the clinical testing and approval processes, and supply
commercial quantities of the products to the market is expected to be an
important determinant of market success. Other competitive factors include the
capabilities
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
of the Company's collaborative partners, product efficacy and safety, timing and
scope of regulatory approval, product availability, marketing and sales
capabilities, reimbursement coverage, the amount of clinical benefit of the
Company's products relative to their cost, method of administration, price and
patent protection. There can be no assurance that the Company's competitors will
not develop more efficacious or more affordable products, or achieve earlier
product development completion, patent protection, regulatory approval or
product commercialization than the Company. The occurrence of any of these
events by the Company's competitors could have a material adverse effect on the
business and financial condition of the Company.
 
HUMAN RESOURCES
 
   
     As of December 31, 1996, PDL had 208 full-time employees, of whom 25 hold
Ph.D. or M.D. degrees. Of the total, 72 employees were engaged in research and
development, 35 in quality assurance and compliance, 17 in clinical and
regulatory, 55 in manufacturing and 29 in general and administrative functions.
PDL's scientific staff members have diversified experience and expertise in
molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, virology, immunology, protein
chemistry, computational chemistry and computer modeling. PDL's success will
depend in large part on its ability to attract and retain skilled and
experienced employees. PDL has not entered into employment agreements with its
executives or key employees and maintains limited amounts of insurance on the
lives of only two of its executive officers. None of PDL's employees are covered
by a collective bargaining agreement, and PDL considers its relations with its
employees to be good.
    
 
FACILITIES
 
     The Company leases approximately 43,000 square feet of laboratory and
office space in Mountain View, California. The Company's lease will terminate on
December 31, 2000. The Company has also leased an additional 10,000 square feet
of office space located adjacent to its current facility in Mountain View,
California through May 31, 1998. The Company believes that it will need to
obtain additional laboratory and office space in 1997 to supplement or replace
the facilities at its Mountain View site.
 
     The Company also leases approximately 45,000 square feet of manufacturing,
laboratory and office space in Plymouth, Minnesota. The Company's lease will
terminate on February 29, 2004, subject to the Company's
options to extend the lease for two additional five year terms. Although these
facilities currently leased by the Company are sufficient for its present
manufacturing operations, the Company believes that it may have to obtain
additional manufacturing space in the future and may lease or acquire additional
space as required.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     Information with respect to the executive officers and directors of the
Companies as of December 31, 1996 is set forth below:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     NAME                    AGE                  POSITION
    ---------------------------------------  ----  ---------------------------------------
    <S>                                      <C>   <C>
    Laurence Jay Korn, Ph.D................    47  Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson
                                                   of the Board of Directors
    Jon S. Saxe............................    60  President and Director
    Cary L. Queen, Ph.D....................    46  Senior Vice President, Vice President,
                                                     Research and Director
    Christine Booker.......................    55  Vice President, Quality and Compliance
    Douglas O. Ebersole....................    40  Vice President, Licensing and Corporate
                                                     Services, General Counsel and
                                                     Secretary
    Fred Kurland...........................    46  Vice President and Chief Financial
                                                   Officer
    Daniel J. Levitt, M.D., Ph.D...........    49  Senior Vice President, Clinical and
                                                     Regulatory Affairs
    Mark D. Young, Ph.D....................    46  Vice President, Technical Operations
    Stanley Falkow, Ph.D.(1)...............    62  Distinguished Investigator (consultant)
                                                   and Director
    Jurgen Drews, M.D.(2)..................    63  Director
    George M. Gould(1)(3)..................    59  Director
    Max Link, Ph.D.(3).....................    56  Director
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
   
(2) Dr. Drews joined the Board in February 1997.
    
   
(3) Member of the Compensation Committee.
    
 
     Laurence Jay Korn, Ph.D., has served as a director and Chairperson of the
Board since July 1986 and Chief Executive Officer since January 1987.
Previously, Dr. Korn headed a research laboratory and served on the faculty of
the Department of Genetics at the Stanford University School of Medicine from
March 1981 to December 1986. Dr. Korn received his Ph.D. from Stanford
University and was a Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellow at the Carnegie
Institution of Washington and a Staff Scientist at the MRC Laboratory of
Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England, before becoming an Assistant Professor
at Stanford.
 
     Jon S. Saxe has been a director of the Company since March 1989 and has
served as President of the Company since January 1995. Mr. Saxe was a consultant
to the Company from June 1993 to December 1994. He has served as President of
Saxe Associates, a biotechnology consulting firm, since May 1993. Mr. Saxe
served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Synergen,
Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from October 1989 to April 1993. Mr. Saxe
served as Vice President, Licensing & Corporate Development for Roche from
August 1984 through September 1989, and Head Patent Law from September 1978
through September 1989. Mr. Saxe is also a director of InSite Vision
Incorporated, Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc. and
ID Biomedical Corporation. Mr. Saxe received his J.D. from George Washington
University School of Law and his LL.M. from New York University School of Law.
 
     Cary L. Queen, Ph.D., has served as a director since January 1987, as Vice
President, Research, since April 1989 and as Senior Vice President since June
1993. Previously, Dr. Queen held positions at the National Institutes of Health
from 1983 to 1986, where he studied the regulation of genes involved in the
synthesis of
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
antibodies. Dr. Queen received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of
California at Berkeley and subsequently served as an Assistant Professor of
Mathematics at Cornell University.
 
     Christine Booker has served as the Company's Vice President, Quality and
Compliance since February 1996. Prior to joining the Company, from February 1995
through January 1996, Ms. Booker served as a consultant to the Company. Since
August 1994, Ms. Booker has served as the principal consultant for Booker
Associates. From March 1992 to October 1994, Ms. Booker served as Director,
Quality Assurance for Synergen, Inc. From October 1980 to February 1992, Ms.
Booker served in various positions at Genentech, Inc., including Associate
Director, Technical Operations. Ms. Booker received her B.S. in Chemistry from
DePaul University.
 
     Douglas O. Ebersole has served as the Company's Vice President, Licensing,
General Counsel and Secretary since July 1992 and in April 1996 was appointed to
the additional position of Vice President, Corporate Services. Prior to joining
the Company, he served first as Associate General Counsel and later as General
Counsel at NeXT Computer, Inc. Prior to joining NeXT in 1989, he was a partner
in the corporate department of the law firm Ware & Freidenrich (now known as
Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich). Mr. Ebersole received his J.D. from Stanford Law
School.
 
     Fred Kurland has served as the Company's Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer since February 1996. Prior to joining the Company, from May 1995 to
January 1996, Mr. Kurland served as the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary of Applied Immune Sciences, Inc., a biotechnology company. From
February 1991 to April 1995, Mr. Kurland served as Vice President and Controller
of Syntex Corporation, a pharmaceutical company ("Syntex"). From 1981 to
February 1991, Mr. Kurland served in various senior financial positions in
corporate and operations functions at Syntex. Mr. Kurland received his J.D. and
M.B.A. degrees from the University of Chicago.
 
     Daniel J. Levitt, M.D., Ph.D., has served as Senior Vice President,
Clinical and Regulatory Affairs of the Company since November 1996. From
February 1995 to October 1996 he served as Vice President of Drug Development
and Chief Medical Officer of Geron Corporation, a biotechnology company. From
1990 until January 1995, Dr. Levitt held various positions at Sandoz Pharma Ltd.
(now known as Novartis Pharma Ltd.), a pharmaceutical company, most recently as
Worldwide Head of Oncology Clinical Research and Development. From 1986 to 1990,
Dr. Levitt held various positions with Roche, including Director of Clinical
Oncology and Immunology. He received post-graduate training at Yale-New Haven
Hospital and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Levitt
holds an M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of
Medicine.
 
     Mark D. Young, Ph.D., has served as the Company's Vice President, Technical
Operations since September 1995. From February 1995 through August 1995, Dr.
Young served as acting Head of Manufacturing of the Company. From 1989 through
January 1995, Dr. Young served in various senior management positions at
Synergen Inc. and its successor Amgen, a biotechnology company, including Vice
President, Process Development and Executive Vice President, Technical
Operations. Dr. Young has over 20 years experience in fermentation and
biotechnology-based pharmaceutical process development and manufacturing. Dr.
Young received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan
and his M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University.
 
   
     Jurgen Drews, M.D. has been a director of the Company since February 1997.
Dr. Drews has been President, Global Research for Roche since January 1996, and
also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Roche Group. From
January 1991 to December 1995, Dr. Drews served as President, International
Research and Development and Member of the Executive Committee for Roche. Prior
to that time Dr. Drews served as Chairman of the Research Board and Member of
the Executive Committee for Roche from April 1986 to December 1990. Dr. Drews
served as Head of International Pharmaceutical Research and Development for
Sandoz Ltd. (now known as Novartis Ltd.) from January 1982 to July 1985. Dr.
Drews is also a director of Genentech, Inc.
    
 
     Stanley Falkow, Ph.D., has been a director of the Company since December
1991, a consultant to the Company since 1987 and a Distinguished Investigator
for the Company since 1991. Dr. Falkow has served as a
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Medicine at the Stanford University
School of Medicine since 1981. Dr. Falkow is a recipient of the Paul Erlich
Prize from the German Federal Republic and the Squibb Award of the Infectious
Diseases Society of America and is a member of the U.S. National Academy of
Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Falkow is also a
director of GalaGen Inc.
 
     George M. Gould has been a director of the Company since October 1989. Mr.
Gould is of counsel to the law firm Crummy, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger &
Vecchione. From May 1996 to December 1996, Mr. Gould was a Senior Vice President
of PharmaGenics, Inc., a biotechnology company. Prior to that time Mr. Gould
served as Vice President of Licensing & Corporate Development and Chief Patent
Counsel for Roche from October 1989 to May 1996.
 
     Max Link, Ph.D., has been a director of the Company since June 1993. Dr.
Link served as the Chief Executive Officer of Boehringer
Mannheim -- Therapeutics from October 1993 to May 1994 and as the Chief
Executive Officer of Corange Ltd. from May 1993 to May 1994. Dr. Link served as
the Chairman of Sandoz Pharma Ltd. (now known as Novartis Pharma Ltd.) from
April 1992 to April 1993. Dr. Link served in various management positions at
Sandoz Ltd. (now known as Novartis Ltd.) and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation
(now known as Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation) from October 1971 to April
1992. Dr. Link is also a director of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Alexion
Pharmaceutical Inc., CytRx Corp., Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and Procept, Inc.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of December 31, 1996, and as adjusted
to reflect the sale of shares offered by this Prospectus by (i) each person who
is known by the Company, based on the records of the Company's transfer agent
and relevant documents filed with the Commission, to own beneficially more than
5% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each member of
the Company's Board of Directors, (iii) the Chief Executive Officer and the five
other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company for the year
ended December 31, 1996, (iv) all members of the Board of Directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group, and (v) the Selling Stockholder.
Except as set forth below, the address of each named individual is the address
of the Company.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     SHARES
                                                  BENEFICIALLY                       SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                 OWNED PRIOR TO                          OWNED AFTER
                                                    OFFERING                              OFFERING
    NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OR GROUP AND       -----------------     NUMBER OF      -------------------
      NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)          NUMBER     PERCENT SHARES OFFERED     NUMBER    PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------  ---------   -----   --------------   ----------  -------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>     <C>              <C>         <C>
Corange International Limited.................  2,432,877   15.44%    750,000         1,682,877    9.48%
  22 Church Street
  P.O. Box HM2026
  Hamilton HM HX, Bermuda
LGT Asset Management, Inc.(2).................  1,989,500   12.62       --            1,989,500   11.20
Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc.
Chancellor LGT Trust Company
  50 California St., 27th Floor
  San Francisco, CA 94111
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.........................  1,321,418    8.39       --            1,321,418    7.44
  340 Kingsland Street
  Nutley, NJ 07110
FMR Corp.(2)..................................    860,300    5.46       --              860,300    4.84
  82 Devonshire Street
  Boston, MA 02109
Jurgen Drews, M.D.(3).........................  1,321,418    8.39       --            1,321,418    7.44
Cary L. Queen, Ph.D.(4).......................    881,750    5.54       --              881,750    4.92
Laurence Jay Korn, Ph.D.(5)...................    853,949    5.36       --              853,949    4.76
Jon S. Saxe(6)................................    127,688       *       --              127,688       *
Stanley Falkow, Ph.D.(7)......................     70,167       *       --               70,167       *
Douglas O. Ebersole(8)........................     64,069       *       --               64,069       *
Mark D. Young, Ph.D.(9).......................     36,228       *       --               36,228       *
George M. Gould(10)...........................     22,666       *       --               22,666       *
Max Link, Ph.D.(11)...........................     18,333       *       --               18,333       *
Paul I. Nadler, M.D.(12)......................        250       *       --                  250       *
All directors and executive officers as a
  group
  (11 persons)(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(8),
  (9),(10),(11),(13)..........................  2,089,642   12.76%        --          2,089,642    11.37%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   * Less than 1%
 (1) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. Except as
     indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table
     have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common
     Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property
     laws where applicable.
 (2) Based solely on information provided in Schedule 13G as filed with the
     Commission.
   
 (3) Includes 1,321,418 shares held by Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. with respect to
     which Dr. Drews disclaims beneficial ownership.
    
   
 (4) Includes 145,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996. Also includes 1,600 shares
     held in trusts for the benefit of certain of Dr. Queen's relatives with
     respect to which Dr. Queen disclaims beneficial ownership.
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
   
 (5) Includes 181,250 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996. Also includes 12,067
     shares held as separate property by Dr. Korn's spouse with respect to which
     Dr. Korn disclaims beneficial ownership.
    
   
 (6) Includes 111,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996.
    
   
 (7) Includes 25,167 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996.
    
   
 (8) Includes 62,708 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996.
    
   
 (9) Includes 35,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996.
    
   
(10) Includes 1,000 shares held for the benefit of Mr. Gould's daughter, with
     respect to which Mr. Gould disclaims beneficial ownership. Also includes
     21,666 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were exercisable
     within 60 days of December 31, 1996.
    
   
(11) Includes 2,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of options that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996.
    
   
(12) Dr. Nadler resigned as an officer and employee of the Company effective as
     of November 1, 1996.
    
   
(13) Includes all directors and officers who served in that capacity as of
     December 31, 1996 and includes 611,791 shares issuable upon the exercise of
     options beneficially owned by those directors and officers that were
     exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1996.
    
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   50
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters named below for whom Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. ("Oppenheimer"),
Lehman Brothers Inc. and PaineWebber Incorporated (collectively, the
"Representatives") are acting as Representatives, have severally agreed to
purchase from the Company and the Selling Stockholder, and the Company and the
Selling Stockholder have agreed to sell to each Underwriter, the respective
number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the name of each Underwriter
below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NUMBER OF
                                       NAME                                          SHARES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. ..........................................................
Lehman Brothers Inc. .............................................................
PaineWebber Incorporated..........................................................
                                                                                    ----------
                                                                                            -
          Total...................................................................  2,750,000
                                                                                    ===========
</TABLE>
 
     The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock directly to
the public initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at such price less a
concession of $               per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such
dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $               per share to
certain other brokers and dealers. After the shares of Common Stock are released
for sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may from time
to time be varied by the Representatives. The Underwriters are obligated to take
and pay for all of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other than those
covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any are taken.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for up
to 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of
412,500 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. If
the Underwriters exercise such option, the Underwriters have severally agreed,
subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage
thereof that the number of shares to be purchased by each of them bears to the
2,750,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby. The Underwriters may exercise
such option only to cover over-allotments made in connection with the sale of
the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to indemnify the
Representatives and the several Underwriters against certain liabilities,
including, without limitations, liabilities under the Securities Act, and to
contribute to certain payments that the Underwriters may be required to make in
respect thereof.
 
     In connection with the offering, the Underwriters may engage in passive
market making transactions in the Company's Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market immediately prior to the commencement of the sale of shares in the
offering, in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Exchange Act. Passive market
making consists of displaying bids on the Nasdaq National Market limited by the
bid prices of market makers not connected with the offering and purchases
limited by such prices and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by
a passive market maker on each day are limited in amount to 30% of the passive
market maker's average daily trading volume in the Common Stock during a period
of two months prior to the filing with the Commission of the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part and must be discontinued when such
limit is reached. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the
Common Stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail and, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   51
 
     The Company's executive officers and directors and Corange, who after
giving effect to the offering will collectively own an aggregate of
approximately 3,160,728 shares of Common Stock, have agreed that they will not
directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract to sell, make a short sale, pledge
or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock (or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other rights to purchase
or acquire Common Stock other than shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of outstanding options) owned by them, for specified periods after the date of
this Prospectus (90 days for officers and directors and 365 days for Corange,
subject to its sale of 750,000 shares in this offering), without the prior
written consent of Oppenheimer, subject to certain limited exceptions. The
Company has also agreed not to issue, sell or register with the Commission, or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any equity securities of the
Company (or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
equity securities of the Company) for a period of 90 days after the date of this
Prospectus, without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer, subject to certain
limited exceptions. Oppenheimer may, in its sole discretion (except with respect
to shares held by Corange, which also requires the consent of the Company,) and
at any time without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject
to lock-up agreements.
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company that the Underwriters do not
intend to confirm sales in excess of 5% of the shares offered hereby to any
account over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, A Professional
Corporation, Palo Alto, California. Certain legal matters will be passed upon
for the Underwriters by Cooley Godward LLP, Palo Alto, California. As of the
date of this Prospectus, attorneys of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich participating
in this matter beneficially own an aggregate of 250 shares of Common Stock of
the Company.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements of Protein Design Labs, Inc. appearing in the
Protein Design Labs, Inc. Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December
31, 1996, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set
forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by
reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   52
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549; on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov; and at the Commission's following regional offices: Chicago
Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661;
and New York Regional Office, Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048. Copies of such material can also be obtained at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary
Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Common Stock of the Company is quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market. Reports, proxy statements and other information
concerning the Company may also be inspected at the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with
respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all
of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of
which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the Common
Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto, which may be inspected without charge at, and
copies thereof may be obtained at prescribed rates from, the Public Reference
Section of the Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents, filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act,
are hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus: (a) The Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996; and (b)
The description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained in its
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act on December 23,
1991, including any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
description. All documents filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents. Any statement contained in any document incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed modified or superseded, for purposes of this
Prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will provide without charge to
each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is
delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of
the documents that have been or may be incorporated by reference herein (other
than exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents). Such requests should be directed to the
Director, Corporate Communications at the Company's principal executive offices
at 2375 Garcia Avenue, Mountain View, California 94043, (415) 903-3700.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   53
 
============================================================
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY, THE SELLING STOCKHOLDER OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY ANYONE
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE AS OF WHICH INFORMATION IS
FURNISHED.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PAGE
                                             ----
<S>                                          <C>
Prospectus Summary.........................     3
Risk Factors...............................     6
Use of Proceeds............................    18
Price Range of Common Stock................    18
Dividend Policy............................    18
Capitalization.............................    19
Dilution...................................    20
Selected Financial Data....................    21
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...............................    22
Business...................................    25
Management.................................    44
Principal and Selling Stockholders.........    47
Underwriting...............................    49
Legal Matters..............................    50
Experts....................................    50
Available Information......................    51
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference................................    51
</TABLE>
 
============================================================
 
============================================================
 
                                2,750,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------
                            OPPENHEIMER & CO., INC.
 
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                                          , 1997
 
============================================================
<PAGE>   54
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the amounts shown are estimates
except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration and listing and
filing fees.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    TO BE PAID
                                                                                      BY THE
                                                                                    REGISTRANT
                                                                                    ----------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee...............................   $ 33,905
Nasdaq National Market Additional Listing Fee.....................................     17,500
NASD filing fee...................................................................     11,689
Accounting fees and expenses......................................................     45,000
Printing and engraving expenses...................................................    130,000
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses....................................      5,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including counsel fees)...............................     10,000
Legal fees and expenses...........................................................    125,000
Miscellaneous expenses............................................................     21,906
                                                                                    ----------
          Total...................................................................   $400,000
                                                                                     ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     In 1986 Delaware enacted legislation which authorizes corporations to
eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their
stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of such
directors' fiduciary "duty of care." Prior to enactment of this legislation,
directors were accountable to corporations and their stockholders for monetary
damages for conduct constituting gross negligence in the exercise of their duty
of care. Numerous complaints alleging breach of directors' duty of care have
been filed in connection with corporate mergers and acquisitions, and although
the new statute does not change directors' duty of care, it enables corporations
to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or
rescission. The legislation has no effect on directors' (1) duty of loyalty, (2)
acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or
knowing violations of law, (3) illegal payment of dividends or (4) approval of
any transaction from which a director derives an improper personal benefit. The
validity and scope of the new statute has not been interpreted to any
significant extent by the Delaware courts. The statute has no effect on claims
arising under the federal securities laws.
 
     The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes the provision
authorized by the statute to eliminate the personal liability of its directors
for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of their duty of care. The
Company's Bylaws provide that the Company shall indemnify its directors,
officers, employees and agents to the full extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, including in circumstances in which indemnification is
otherwise discretionary under such law. In addition, with the approval of the
Board of Directors and the stockholders, the Company has entered into separate
indemnification agreements with its directors, officers, and certain employees
which require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain
liabilities which may arise by reason of their status or service (other than
liabilities arising from a breaches of their confidentiality agreements entered
into with the Company or liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a
culpable nature) and to obtain directors' and officers' insurance, if available
on reasonable terms.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides for the
indemnification of officers, directors and other corporate agents in terms
sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons, under certain circumstances, for
liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the
Securities Act.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   55
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.
 
     (a) The following exhibits are filed with this Registration Statement:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                          EXHIBIT TITLE
- ------       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>     <C>  <S>
  1.1*    -- Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4.1*    -- Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and certain holders of Preferred
             Stock and Common Stock, dated August 21, 1986. (Incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-44562 effective January 28, 1992.)
  4.2*    -- Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and certain holders
             of Preferred Stock and Common Stock, dated March 16, 1989. (Incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement No. 33-44562 effective January
             28, 1992.)
  4.3*    -- Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., dated
             March 16, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement
             No. 33-44562 effective January 28, 1992.)
  4.4*    -- Standstill Agreement between the Company and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., dated March
             16, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration Statement No.
             33-44562 effective January 28, 1992.)
  4.5*    -- Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Corange International
             Limited, dated October 28, 1993. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 4.5 to
             Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1994.)
  4.6*    -- Standstill Agreement between the Company and Corange International Limited, dated
             October 28, 1993. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Annual Report on
             Form 10-K filed March 31, 1994.)
  4.7*    -- Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and
             Joint Development, Marketing and Licensing Agreement. (Incorporated by Reference to
             Exhibit 5.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 15, 1994.)
  4.8*    -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1
             to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1993).
  4.9*    -- Amended and Restated Bylaws. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Annual
             Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1995).
  5.1*    -- Opinion and Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, A Professional Corporation.
 23.1     -- Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
 23.2*    -- Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, A Professional Corporation. Reference is
             made to Exhibit 5.1.
 24.1*    -- Power of Attorney (see signature page).
 24.2     -- Power of Attorney (see signature page).
 27.1*    -- Financial Data Schedule (available in EDGAR format only) (For SEC Use Only).
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
* Previously filed.
 
     All Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set
forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Financial Statements or notes
thereto.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that
is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   56
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers, or controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
     this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
     form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   57
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Mountain View, State of California, on March 7,
1997.
    
 
                                          PROTEIN DESIGN LABS, INC.
                                          (Registrant)
 
                                          By:        /s/  JON S. SAXE
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                        Jon S. Saxe,
                                                         President
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 2 has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                TITLE                     DATE
- ---------------------------------------------  -----------------------------  -------------------
<C>                                            <S>                            <C>
 
                   LAURENCE JAY KORN*          Chief Executive Officer and          March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------    Chairperson of the Board of
             (Laurence Jay Korn)                 Directors (Principal
                                                 Executive Officer)
 
                       FRED KURLAND*           Vice President and Chief             March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------    Financial Officer
               (Fred Kurland)                    (Principal Financial and
                                                 Accounting Officer)
 
                       CARY L. QUEEN*          Director                             March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
               (Cary L. Queen)
 
                    /s/  JON S. SAXE           Director                             March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
                (Jon S. Saxe)
 
                      STANLEY FALKOW*          Director                             March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
              (Stanley Falkow)
 
                     GEORGE M. GOULD*          Director                             March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
              (George M. Gould)
 
                                                             
                     MAX LINK*                 Director
- ---------------------------------------------
                 (Max Link)
 
         *By:        /s/ JON S. SAXE
- ---------------------------------------------
       (Jon S. Saxe, Attorney-in-fact)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   58
 
   
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
    
 
   
     The director of Protein Design Labs, Inc. whose signature appears below
hereby constitutes and appoints Laurence Jay Korn, Jon S. Saxe, Cary L. Queen
and Douglas O. Ebersole, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys and
agents, each with full power of substitution, and each with power to act alone,
to sign on behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (including post-effective amendments) and any
and all new registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with or related to the
offering contemplated by this Registration Statement, as amended, and to perform
any acts necessary in order to file such amendments or registration statements,
with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, and each of
the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm his signature as it may be signed
by his said attorney and agent to any and all such documents and all that said
attorneys and agents, or their or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this report has
been signed below by the following person on behalf of the Registrant and in the
capacity and on the date indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                 TITLE                      DATE
- ---------------------------------------------   -----------------------------   ------------------
<C>                                             <S>                             <C>
 
              /s/ JURGEN DREWS                  Director                             March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
               (Jurgen Drews)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   59
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                     EXHIBIT TITLE
- ------       --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>     <C>  <S>                                                                        <C>
 1.1*     -- Form of Underwriting Agreement............................................
 4.1*     -- Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and certain holders of
             Preferred Stock and Common Stock, dated August 21, 1986. (Incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-44562 effective
             January 28, 1992.)........................................................
 4.2*     -- Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and certain
             holders of Preferred Stock and Common Stock, dated March 16, 1989.
             (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement No.
             33-44562 effective January 28, 1992.).....................................
 4.3*     -- Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Hoffmann-La Roche
             Inc., dated March 16, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to
             Registration Statement No. 33-44562 effective January 28, 1992.)..........
 4.4*     -- Standstill Agreement between the Company and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., dated
             March 16, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration
             Statement No. 33-44562 effective January 28, 1992.).......................
 4.5*     -- Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Corange
             International Limited, dated October 28, 1993. (Incorporated by Reference
             to Exhibit 4.5 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1994.).......
 4.6*     -- Standstill Agreement between the Company and Corange International
             Limited, dated October 28, 1993. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 4.5
             to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1994.)......................
 4.7*     -- Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement
             and Joint Development, Marketing and Licensing Agreement. (Incorporated by
             Reference to Exhibit 5.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 15,
             1994.)....................................................................
 4.8*     -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference from
             Exhibit 3.1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1993)...........
 4.9*     -- Amended and Restated Bylaws. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1
             to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1995).......................
 5.1*     -- Opinion and Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, A Professional
             Corporation...............................................................
 23.1     -- Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors........................
 23.2*    -- Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, A Professional Corporation.
             Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1..........................................
 24.1*    -- Power of Attorney (see signature page)....................................
 24.2     -- Power of Attorney (see signature page)....................................
 27.1*    -- Financial Data Schedule (available in EDGAR format only) (For SEC Use
             Only).....................................................................
</TABLE>
    
 
*Previously filed.

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Protein Design Labs,
Inc. for the registration of 2,750,000 shares of its Common Stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 27, 1997 with
respect to the financial statements of Protein Design Labs, Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
   
March 7, 1997
    


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