SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 14, 2005

 

ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

 

 

000-19125

 

33-0336973

(Commission File No.)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

2292 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (760) 931-9200

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 



 

Item 1.01               Entry into a Material Agreement.

 

On February 14, 2005, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that it has licensed an anti-cancer antisense drug to and Sarissa, Inc., a biotechnology company emerging from the University of Western Ontario.  The drug is an antisense inhibitor of thymidylate synthase (TS), a well-known drug target that protects cancer cells from the effects of several chemotherapy treatments.

 

Item 9.01.              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c)  Exhibits.

 

99.1

Press Release dated February 14, 2005.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Dated: February 10, 2005

By:

/s/ B. Lynne Parshall

 

 

 

B. Lynne Parshall

 

 

Executive Vice President,

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

99.1                                                   Press Release dated February 14, 2005.

 

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