<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000874015-21-000035.txt : 20210120
<SEC-HEADER>0000874015-21-000035.hdr.sgml : 20210120
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210120190251
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000874015-21-000035
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210115
FILED AS OF DATE:		20210120
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Monia Brett P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001537529

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19125
		FILM NUMBER:		21539982

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2855 GAZELLE COURT
		STREET 2:		C/O ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		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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        <issuerName>IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IONS</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerName>Monia Brett P</rptOwnerName>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>2855 GAZELLE CT.</rptOwnerStreet2>
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            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92010</rptOwnerZipCode>
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            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Acquired pursuant to vesting and release of shares in accordance with Restricted Stock Unit awards.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares withheld to cover the required tax withholding obligations pursuant to the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Grant to reporting person of Restricted Stock Units under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each Restricted Stock Unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ionis common stock, or its equivalent cash value.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Restricted Stock Units vest in four equal monthly installments.  Upon vesting, the Restricted Stock Units will be paid out in whole shares of Ionis common stock or cash as may be determined by Ionis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Represents an award of performance based restricted stock units (&quot;PRSUs&quot;). One-third of the PRSUs may vest at the end of three separate performance periods spread over the three years following the date of grant based on the Issuer's relative total shareholder return as compared to a peer group of companies. The number of PRSUs reported represents the maximum that may be earned, which is 150% of the target number. No number of PRSUs is guaranteed to vest and the actual number of PRSUs that will vest at the end of each performance period may be anywhere from zero to the amount stated.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Grant to reporting person of Performance Restricted Stock Units under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Patrick R. O'Neil, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
