<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000874015-21-000021.txt : 20210106
<SEC-HEADER>0000874015-21-000021.hdr.sgml : 20210106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210106214727
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000874015-21-000021
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20201227
FILED AS OF DATE:		20210106
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210106

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Schneider Eugene
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001838539

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19125
		FILM NUMBER:		21512877

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS
		STREET 2:		2855 GAZELLE CT
		CITY:			CARLSBAD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92010

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874015
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				330336973
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2855 GAZELLE COURT
		CITY:			CARLSBAD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92010
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7609319200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2855 GAZELLE COURT
		CITY:			CARLSBAD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92010

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328
</SEC-HEADER>
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<SEQUENCE>1
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        <issuerName>IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IONS</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerName>Schneider Eugene</rptOwnerName>
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            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
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            <officerTitle>EVP, Chf Clinical Develop Offc</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant on 01/02/2015 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable on 1/02/2016.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 6,100 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant on 04/01/2015 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable on 04/01/2016.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 18,750 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Grant on 01/04/2016 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable on 1/4/2017.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 11,000 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Grant on 01/03/2017 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable on 1/03/2018.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 24,479 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Grant on 01/02/2018 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable on 1/02/2019.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 18,229 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Grant on 07/29/2018 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable on 07/29/2019.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 4,375 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Grant on 01/02/2019 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable on 01/02/2020.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 9,420 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Grant on 01/02/2020 to reporting person of stock options under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.  25% of the shares subject to the option will be vested and become exercisable on 01/02/2021.  Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 0 shares on 12/27/2020</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting was on January 15, 2018.  Upon vesting, the restricted stock units will be paid out in whole shares of Ionis common stock or cash as may be determined by the Company.  The RSU shall be fully vested on January 15, 2021.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting was on January 15, 2019.  Upon vesting, the restricted stock units will be paid out in whole shares of Ionis common stock or cash as may be determined by the Company.  The RSU shall be fully vested on January 15, 2022.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting was on October 15, 2019.  Upon vesting, the restricted stock units will be paid out in whole shares of Ionis common stock or cash as may be determined by the Company.  The RSU shall be fully vested on October 15, 2022.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting was on January 15,2020.  Upon vesting, the restricted stock units will be paid out in whole shares of Ionis common stock or cash as may be determined by the Company.  The RSU shall be fully vested on January 15, 2023.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting on January 15, 2021.  Upon vesting, the restricted stock units will be paid out in whole shares of Ionis common stock or cash as may be determined by the Company.  The RSU shall be fully vested on January 15, 2024.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F14">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ionis common stock or its equivalent cash value</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Patrick R. O'Neil, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-01-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
