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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?> |
<ownershipDocument> |
| <schemaVersion> X0508 </schemaVersion> |
| <documentType> 4 </documentType> |
| <periodOfReport> 2024-01-15 </periodOfReport> |
| <notSubjectToSection16> 0 </notSubjectToSection16> |
| <issuer> |
| | <issuerCik> 0000874015 </issuerCik> |
| | <issuerName> IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC </issuerName> |
| | <issuerTradingSymbol> IONS </issuerTradingSymbol> |
| | </issuer> |
| <reportingOwner> |
| | <reportingOwnerId> |
| | | <rptOwnerCik> 0001702283 </rptOwnerCik> |
| | | <rptOwnerName> YANG MICHAEL J. </rptOwnerName> |
| | | </reportingOwnerId> |
| | <reportingOwnerAddress> |
| | | <rptOwnerStreet1> 2855 GAZELLE COURT </rptOwnerStreet1> |
| | | <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2> |
| | | <rptOwnerCity> CARLSBAD </rptOwnerCity> |
| | | <rptOwnerState> CA </rptOwnerState> |
| | | <rptOwnerZipCode> 92010 </rptOwnerZipCode> |
| | | <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription> |
| | | </reportingOwnerAddress> |
| | <reportingOwnerRelationship> |
| | | <isDirector> 1 </isDirector> |
| | | <isOfficer> 0 </isOfficer> |
| | | <isTenPercentOwner> 0 </isTenPercentOwner> |
| | | <isOther> 0 </isOther> |
| | | </reportingOwnerRelationship> |
| | </reportingOwner> |
| <aff10b5One> 0 </aff10b5One> |
| <derivativeTable> |
| | <derivativeTransaction> |
| | | <securityTitle> |
| <value> Restricted Stock Unit </value> |
| </securityTitle> |
| | | <conversionOrExercisePrice> |
| <value> 0.0 </value> |
| <footnoteId id="F1"/> |
| </conversionOrExercisePrice> |
| | | <transactionDate> |
| <value> 2024-01-15 </value> |
| </transactionDate> |
| | | <transactionCoding> |
| <transactionFormType> 4 </transactionFormType> |
| <transactionCode> A </transactionCode> |
| <equitySwapInvolved> 0 </equitySwapInvolved> |
| </transactionCoding> |
| | | <transactionAmounts> |
| <transactionShares> |
| <value> 5791 </value> |
| </transactionShares> |
| <transactionPricePerShare> |
| <value> 0.0 </value> |
| </transactionPricePerShare> |
| <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode> |
| <value> A </value> |
| </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode> |
| </transactionAmounts> |
| | | <exerciseDate> |
| <footnoteId id="F2"/> |
| </exerciseDate> |
| | | <expirationDate> |
| <footnoteId id="F2"/> |
| </expirationDate> |
| | | <underlyingSecurity> |
| <underlyingSecurityTitle> |
| <value> Common Stock </value> |
| </underlyingSecurityTitle> |
| <underlyingSecurityShares> |
| <value> 5791 </value> |
| </underlyingSecurityShares> |
| </underlyingSecurity> |
| | | <postTransactionAmounts> |
| <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction> |
| <value> 5791 </value> |
| </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction> |
| </postTransactionAmounts> |
| | | <ownershipNature> |
| <directOrIndirectOwnership> |
| <value> D </value> |
| </directOrIndirectOwnership> |
| </ownershipNature> |
| | | </derivativeTransaction> |
| | </derivativeTable> |
| <footnotes> |
| | <footnote id="F1"> Each Restricted Stock Unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ionis common stock, or its equivalent cash value. </footnote> |
| | <footnote id="F2"> Grant on January 15, 2024 to reporting person of Restricted Stock Unit Award under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan. Restricted Stock Units vest in three equal annual installments, the first installment vesting on January 15, 2025. 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. The RSU is vested as to 0 shares on January 15, 2024. </footnote> |
| | </footnotes> |
| <ownerSignature> |
| | <signatureName> By: Patrick R. O'Neil, attorney-in-fact For: Michael J. Yang </signatureName> |
| | <signatureDate> 2024-01-17 </signatureDate> |
| | </ownerSignature> |
| </ownershipDocument> |