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EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INCex99_1.htm

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):  December 21, 2018

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))

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 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 20, 2018, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that, effective January 2020, the Company’s founder and chief executive officer, Stanley T. Crooke, M.D., Ph.D., will transition from chief executive officer to executive chairman of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”).  Dr. Crooke will remain active in the Company, providing strategic advice and participating in the Company’s scientific activities.  The Board has selected Brett P. Monia, Ph.D., Ionis’ chief operating officer and a founder of the Company, to serve as chief executive officer beginning in January 2020.

A copy of the press release announcing this transition plan is included with this report as exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)
Exhibits.


99.1
Press Release dated December 20, 2018.


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:  December 21, 2018
By:
/s/ Patrick R. O’Neil

 
Patrick R. O’Neil

 
Senior Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer