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):  August 2, 2023
 
IONIS 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.)

2855 Gazelle Court
Carlsbad, CA 92010
(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:

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

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

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

☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Trading symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.001 Par Value
“IONS”
The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (Section 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company          ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐

Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
 
On August 3, 2023, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement (the “Agreement”) with Novartis Pharma AG (“Novartis”) to discover, develop and commercialize a novel medicine for patients with lipoprotein(a)-driven cardiovascular disease.

A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits.
 
Exhibit No.
Description
Press Release dated August 3, 2023.
   
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Dated:  August 3, 2023
By:
/s/ Patrick R. O’Neil


Patrick R. O’Neil


Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel