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):  June 4, 2020
 
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 5.07
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) held its virtual Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 4, 2020.  The stockholders considered five proposals, each of which is described in more detail in the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated April 24, 2020.
 
Proposal 1:          Election of directors to hold office until the 2023 Annual Meeting:
 
 
 
FOR
 
WITHHELD
BROKER NON-
VOTES
Joseph Wender
105,275,759
6,827,137
13,475,600
B. Lynne Parshall
106,464,221
5,638,675
13,475,600
Spencer Berthelsen
108,453,700
3,649,196
13,475,600
Joan Herman
110,672,982
1,429,914
13,475,600

The Company’s stockholders elected the foregoing candidates by affirmative votes by a majority of the votes of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors.
 
Proposal 2:          Approve an amendment and restatement of the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan:
 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
BROKER NON-VOTES
102,467,482
9,491,572
143,842
13,475,600

The Company’s stockholders approved the foregoing proposal.

Proposal 3:          Ratify amending the existing stock option and restricted stock unit awards of directors to adjust vesting:
 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
BROKER NON-VOTES
110,569,848
1,344,235
188,813
13,475,600

The Company’s stockholders approved the foregoing proposal.

Proposal 4:         Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers, including the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that Ionis’ stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”
 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
BROKER NON-VOTES
109,068,874
2,793,742
240,280
13,475,600

The Company’s stockholders approved the foregoing proposal.

 Proposal 5:          Ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for our 2020 fiscal year:

FOR
AGAINST ABSTAIN BROKER NON-VOTES
121,341,275
3,745,530
 491,691
0

The Company’s stockholders approved the foregoing proposal.
 
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits.
 
Exhibit No.
Description
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:  June 9, 2020
By:
/s/ Patrick R. O’Neil
   
Patrick R. O’Neil
   
Executive Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer