STOCK TITAN

Ionis (NASDAQ: IONS) director receives 2026 RSU and stock option grants

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC director Joan E. Herman received new equity awards as part of non-employee director compensation. On July 1, 2026, Herman was granted 2,301 Restricted Stock Units, each representing a right to receive one share of Ionis common stock or its cash equivalent, subject to vesting.

On the same date, Herman was also granted options on 5,369 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $79.19 per share. Both the RSUs and options vest 100% on the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the next annual stockholder meeting, consistent with the company’s non-employee director compensation policy that caps 2026 equity compensation at $400,000 based on grant-date fair value.

Positive

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Insider HERMAN JOAN E
Role null
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy) 5,369 $0.00 --
Grant/Award Restricted Stock Unit 2,301 $0.00 --
Holdings After Transaction: Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy) — 5,369 shares (Direct, null); Restricted Stock Unit — 7,521 shares (Direct, null)
Footnotes (1)
  1. Pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, these grants were adjusted downward such that the non-employee Director's annual equity compensation in 2026 totals no more than $400,000 based on the aggregate grant date fair value as determined in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718. Grant on July 1, 2026 to reporting person of stock options under the Amended and Restated Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan. 100% of the shares subject to the option vest and become exercisable on either the first anniversary of the date of grant or the next regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, whichever occurs earlier. The option is exercisable to 0 shares on July 1, 2026. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ionis common stock, or its equivalent cash value. Grant on July 1, 2026 to reporting person of Restricted Stock Unit award under the Amended and Restated Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan. These Restricted Stock Units vest 100% on either the first anniversary of the date of grant or the next regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, whichever occurs earlier, and will be delivered to the reporting person on the July 15th following the vesting date. The Restricted Stock Unit is vested as to 0 shares on July 1, 2026.
RSU grant size 2,301 units Restricted Stock Units granted on July 1, 2026
Options granted 5,369 options Non-Qualified Stock Options granted on July 1, 2026
Option exercise price $79.19 per share Exercise price for new stock options
RSUs after grant 7,521 units Total Restricted Stock Units following transaction
2026 equity comp cap $400,000 Annual equity cap for non-employee directors based on grant-date fair value
Restricted Stock Unit financial
"Each Restricted Stock Unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ionis common stock"
A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.
Non-Qualified Stock Option financial
"Grant on July 1, 2026 to reporting person of stock options under the Amended and Restated Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan"
A non-qualified stock option (NSO) is a contract that lets an employee or service provider buy company shares at a fixed price for a set period, like a voucher to purchase stock later at today’s price. It matters to investors because exercising NSOs creates ordinary income for the holder and can increase share count, affecting a company’s earnings and ownership mix; think of it as a future sale that can dilute existing shareholders and has immediate tax consequences for the recipient.
FASB Topic ASC 718 financial
"annual equity compensation in 2026 totals no more than $400,000 based on the aggregate grant date fair value as determined in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718"
Amended and Restated Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan financial
"Grant on July 1, 2026 to reporting person of stock options under the Amended and Restated Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan"
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FAQ

What equity awards did IONIS (IONS) director Joan E. Herman receive?

Joan E. Herman received 2,301 Restricted Stock Units and stock options on 5,369 shares. Both awards were granted on July 1, 2026 as part of non-employee director compensation.

What is the exercise price of the new IONIS (IONS) stock options?

The new stock options have an exercise price of $79.19 per share. Herman can purchase Ionis common stock at this price once the options vest and become exercisable under the award terms.

When do Joan E. Herman’s new IONIS (IONS) equity awards vest?

Both the RSUs and options vest 100% on the earlier of the first anniversary of the July 1, 2026 grant or the next annual stockholder meeting, aligning with the director compensation plan.

How many Restricted Stock Units does Joan E. Herman hold after this IONIS (IONS) grant?

After this transaction, Herman holds 7,521 Restricted Stock Units. Each unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ionis common stock or its equivalent cash value upon settlement.

How is IONIS (IONS) director equity compensation limited for 2026?

The company’s non-employee director compensation policy caps a director’s 2026 annual equity compensation at $400,000. This cap is based on aggregate grant-date fair value calculated under FASB Topic ASC 718.
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:0.5
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
HERMAN JOAN E

(Last)(First)(Middle)
2855 GAZELLE COURT

(Street)
CARLSBAD CALIFORNIA 92010

(City)(State)(Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC [ IONS ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
XDirector10% Owner
Officer (give title below)Other (specify below)
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
07/01/2026
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)$79.1907/01/2026A5,369(1)07/01/2027(2)06/30/2036(2)Common Stock5,369$0.05,369D
Restricted Stock Unit$0.0(3)07/01/2026A2,301(1) (4) (4)Common Stock2,301$0.07,521D
Explanation of Responses:
1. Pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, these grants were adjusted downward such that the non-employee Director's annual equity compensation in 2026 totals no more than $400,000 based on the aggregate grant date fair value as determined in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718.
2. Grant on July 1, 2026 to reporting person of stock options under the Amended and Restated Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan. 100% of the shares subject to the option vest and become exercisable on either the first anniversary of the date of grant or the next regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, whichever occurs earlier. The option is exercisable to 0 shares on July 1, 2026.
3. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Ionis common stock, or its equivalent cash value.
4. Grant on July 1, 2026 to reporting person of Restricted Stock Unit award under the Amended and Restated Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan. These Restricted Stock Units vest 100% on either the first anniversary of the date of grant or the next regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, whichever occurs earlier, and will be delivered to the reporting person on the July 15th following the vesting date. The Restricted Stock Unit is vested as to 0 shares on July 1, 2026.
By: Patrick R. O'Neil, attorney-in-fact For: Joan E. Herman07/06/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)