Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IONS) plans board refresh as Parshall, Wender retire and Reikes returns

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced planned changes to its Board of Directors. Long‑serving directors B. Lynne Parshall and Joseph H. Wender will retire at the end of their current terms, with the transitions effective June 4, 2026 and aligned with the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

On the same date, Peter N. Reikes will rejoin the board as a director. He recently served as senior strategy advisor with the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health and earlier as senior advisor to the FDA, following a long career in healthcare investment banking and prior board service at Ionis from 2018 to 2021.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Ionis is refreshing its board, rotating out two long‑tenured directors while bringing back an experienced former director with regulatory and financial expertise.

The company is planning an orderly board transition. B. Lynne Parshall and Joseph H. Wender, who have served on the board for more than two and three decades respectively, will retire at the end of their current terms in June 2026.

Ionis will add continuity and external perspective by having Peter N. Reikes rejoin the board on June 4, 2026. His recent roles at ARPA‑H and the FDA, combined with extensive healthcare investment banking experience and prior Ionis board service, align the board with the company’s scientific and growth ambitions.

false0000874015The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC00008740152026-03-032026-03-03

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):  March 3, 2026

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

(b) Departure of B. Lynne Parshall from the Board of Directors

On March 3, 2026, B. Lynne Parshall, a member of the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), and member of the Compliance Committee and Finance Committee of the Board, notified the Company that she will be retiring from the Board at the end of her current term and not seeking re-election at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of  Stockholders (the “2026 Annual Meeting”). Ms. Parshall has been a valued member of the Company’s Board for over 25 years, in addition to serving as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and in various executive roles for over 26 years. The Company thanks Ms. Parshall for her leadership and advice as a former executive officer and Board member.

(b) Departure of Joseph H. Wender from the Board of Directors

On March 3, 2026, Joseph H. Wender, the Lead Independent Director of the Company’s Board, and member of the Compensation Committee, Finance Committee, and Nominating, Governance and Review Committee of the Board, notified the Company that he will be retiring from the Board at the end of his current term and not seeking re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Mr. Wender has been a valued member of the Company’s Board for over 32 years, providing exemplary service and many important contributions to the Company during his tenure on the Board. The Company thanks Mr. Wender for his dedicated service to the Company and leadership on the Board.

(d) Appointment of Peter N. Reikes to the Board of Directors

On March 9, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing that Peter N. Reikes will be rejoining the Company’s Board on June 4, 2026.

Most recently, Mr. Reikes was senior strategy advisor with the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health from December 2024 to February 2026, which he joined after serving for over three years as senior advisor to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).  Prior to that, he served as a vice chairman in the investment banking division at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. Over the course of his career, Mr. Reikes has been a director of numerous biotechnology companies and other healthcare-related organizations and previously served as a member of the Company’s Board from 2018-2021 until stepping down to join the FDA as senior advisor.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Reikes and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. Reikes will be appointed as a director of the Company.

Mr. Reikes will receive the standard compensation that the Company provides to its non-employee directors consisting of cash compensation and automatic equity grants as set forth in the Company’s Third Amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2026.

In addition, Mr. Reikes will enter into the Company’s standard form of indemnity agreement.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 9, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing that Ms. Parshall and Mr. Wender will be retiring at the end of their terms in June 2026 and that Mr. Reikes will be rejoining the Company’s Board on June 4, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 7.01 and the exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated March 9, 2026.
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:  March 9, 2026	By:	/s/ Patrick R. O’Neil
		Patrick R. O’Neil
		Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Exhibit 99.1

Ionis announces changes to Board of Directors

– Lynne Parshall and Joseph Wender to retire at end of term in June 2026 and Peter Reikes to join Ionis Board –

CARLSBAD, Calif., March 9, 2026 -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) today announced upcoming transitions on its Board of Directors. B. Lynne Parshall, Esq., and Joseph Wender will be retiring at the end of their term and Peter N. Reikes will be rejoining as a director. The changes will be effective June 4, 2026.

Ms. Parshall has served as a director since September 2000. Previously, she served as Ionis’ chief operating officer from December 2007 through December 2017 and as chief financial officer from June 1994 through December 2012. Ms. Parshall joined Ionis in 1991 and served in various executive roles during her tenure.  Mr. Wender has served as a director since January 1994. Mr. Wender joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1971 and became a general partner of that firm in 1982, where he headed the Financial Institutions Group for over a decade. Since January 2008, he has been a senior consultant to Goldman Sachs & Co. Mr. Wender has served as Ionis’ lead independent director since 2020.  Both Ms. Parshall and Mr. Wender are recipients of the Ionis Career Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals who have made the most significant contributions to the company.

“We thank Lynne and Joe for their distinguished contributions throughout their long tenures – they have both provided valued, expert counsel throughout every significant moment in Ionis’ journey over the last three decades,” said Joseph Loscalzo, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, Ionis Board of Directors. “I also want to welcome Peter back to the Board. His unique combination of financial and industry experience will be critical as the company continues through a period of rapid growth and pipeline progress.”

Most recently, Peter Reikes was senior strategy advisor with the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) from December 2024 to February 2026, which he joined after serving for over three years as senior advisor to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Prior to that, he served as a vice chairman in the Investment Banking Division at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. Prior to joining Stifel in 2010, Mr. Reikes spent eleven years at Cowen and Company, LLC, where he was vice chairman and head of Healthcare Investment Banking, and over fourteen years at PaineWebber Incorporated, where he was a managing director and head of Healthcare Investment Banking. Over the course of his career, Mr. Reikes has been a director of numerous biotechnology companies and other healthcare-related organizations.  Mr. Reikes received his B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles and his M.B.A. in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He previously served as an Ionis director from 2018-2021 and stepped down when he joined the FDA as senior advisor.

“I am grateful to Lynne and Joe for their wisdom, insight and friendship throughout the years – they have played a critical role in helping to shape the innovative, fully integrated and highly successful biotech company that Ionis is today,” said Brett P. Monia, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Ionis. “I am thrilled to have Peter rejoin the board as he has worked with so many innovative companies in various stages of development and we welcome his broad financial, industry and regulatory expertise.”

About Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For three decades, Ionis has invented medicines that bring better futures to people with serious diseases. Ionis currently has marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiometabolic disease and select areas of high patient need. As the pioneer in RNA-targeted medicines, Ionis continues to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing. A deep understanding of disease biology and industry-leading technology propels our work, coupled with a passion and urgency to deliver life-changing advances for patients. To learn more about Ionis, visit Ionis.com and follow us on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.

Ionis Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Ionis’ business, the therapeutic and commercial potential of our commercial medicines, additional medicines in development and technologies, and our expectations regarding development and regulatory milestones. Any statement describing Ionis’ goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such medicines. Ionis’ forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Ionis’ forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis’ programs are described in additional detail in Ionis’ annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and most recent Form 10-Q, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these and other documents are available from the Company. In this press release, unless the context requires otherwise, “Ionis,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” all refer to Ionis Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiaries.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals^® is a trademark of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ionis Investor Contact: D. Wade Walke, Ph.D. IR@ionis.com 760-603-2331

Ionis Media Contact: Hayley Soffer media@ionis.com 760-603-4679

###

FAQ

What board changes did Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) announce in March 2026?

Ionis announced that long‑time directors B. Lynne Parshall and Joseph H. Wender will retire at the end of their current terms in June 2026, and that former director Peter N. Reikes will rejoin the Board of Directors effective June 4, 2026.

When will Peter N. Reikes rejoin the Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) board?

Peter N. Reikes will rejoin the Ionis Board of Directors on June 4, 2026. His appointment coincides with the planned retirement of B. Lynne Parshall and Joseph H. Wender at the end of their terms, supporting a smooth transition in board composition.

Who are the Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) directors retiring in June 2026?

B. Lynne Parshall and Joseph H. Wender will retire from the Ionis Board at the end of their current terms in June 2026, following more than two and three decades of service respectively, including leadership roles such as lead independent director and senior executive positions.

What experience does Peter N. Reikes bring to the Ionis (IONS) board?

Peter N. Reikes brings recent government experience as senior strategy advisor at ARPA‑H and senior advisor to the FDA, along with a long career in healthcare investment banking and prior Ionis board service from 2018 to 2021, giving him deep financial and industry expertise.

How long have Lynne Parshall and Joseph Wender served Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS)?

Lynne Parshall has served as a director since September 2000 and previously held executive roles including chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Joseph Wender has served as a director since January 1994 and has been Ionis’ lead independent director since 2020, reflecting very long tenures.

Did Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) issue a press release about its board changes?

Yes. Ionis issued a press release dated March 9, 2026, announcing that Lynne Parshall and Joseph Wender will retire at the end of their terms in June 2026 and that Peter N. Reikes will rejoin the Board of Directors effective June 4, 2026.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 11.8 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 21.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 15.7 KB