<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000874015-23-000118.txt : 20230324
<SEC-HEADER>0000874015-23-000118.hdr.sgml : 20230324
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20230324190321
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000874015-23-000118
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20230314
FILED AS OF DATE:		20230324
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20230324

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Birchler Brian
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001970151

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19125
		FILM NUMBER:		23761141

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		STREET 2:		2855 GAZELLE COURT
		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:			CA
		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>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2023-03-14</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000874015</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IONS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001970151</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Birchler Brian</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2855 GAZELLE COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CARLSBAD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Corp and Development Ops</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35325</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.6</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2032-01-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>19500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.25</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2032-03-19</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>37.58</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2033-01-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>22942</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>47.34</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-01-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>26982</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>49.25</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-01-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>31500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>53.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2026-01-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>23900</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>56.78</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-01-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>22000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>60.89</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-01-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>26063</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>61.57</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-01-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Restricted Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>14338</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2896</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F14"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F14"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4888</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2026-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7312</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2023-04-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F16"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2026-04-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F16"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F17"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-01-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F17"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17207</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant on 01/03/2022 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 01/03/2023. Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 5,687 shares on 03/14/2023.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant on 03/20/2022 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 03/20/2023. 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 03/14/2023.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Grant on 01/03/2023 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 01/03/2024. 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 03/14/2023.</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 01/03/2018. Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 26,982 shares on 03/14/2023.</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 01/02/2019. Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 31,500 shares on 03/14/2023.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">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 23,900 shares on 03/14/2023.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Grant on 01/04/2021 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 01/04/2022. Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 11,916 shares on 03/14/2023.</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 20,633 shares on 03/14/2023.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">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 01/02/2016. Thereafter, the remaining shares subject to the option vested and became exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. The option is exercisable as to 15,500 shares on 03/14/2023</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Grant to reporting person of Performance Restricted Stock Units under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Represents an award of performance based restricted stock units (&quot;PRSUs&quot;). The PRSUs may vest at the end of the three-year performance period 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 200% 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 the performance period may be anywhere from zero to the amount stated.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Isis common stock, or its equivalent cash value.</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">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting on January 15, 2022. 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, 2025.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F15">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting on January 15, 2023. 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, 2026.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F16">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting on April 15, 2022. 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 April 15, 2026.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F17">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments, the first installment vesting on January 15, 2023. 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, 2027.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Patrick R. O'Neil, attorney-in-fact For: Brian Birchler</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2023-03-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
