UNITED STATES
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 3, 2016 

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))
 


Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 3, 2016.  The stockholders considered three proposals, each of which is described in more detail in the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated April 15, 2016.

Proposal 1: Election of directors to hold office until the 2019 Annual Meeting:
 
   
 
FOR
   
 
WITHHELD
   
BROKER
NON-VOTES
 
Stanley T. Crooke
   
74,787,512
     
5,029,186
     
21,563,698
 
Joseph Klein, III
   
78,504,840
     
1,311,858
     
21,563,698
 
Joseph Loscalzo
   
76,326,735
     
3,489,963
     
21,563,698
 

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: 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 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

FOR
   
AGAINST
   
ABSTAIN
   
BROKER NON-VOTES
 
77,717,101
     
1,886,818
     
212,779
     
21,563,698
 

The Company’s stockholders approved the foregoing proposal.

Proposal 3:
Ratify the Audit Committee's selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for our 2016 fiscal year:

FOR
   
AGAINST
   
ABSTAIN
   
BROKER NON-VOTES
 
100,224,042
     
898,993
     
257,361
     
0
 

The Company’s stockholders approved the foregoing proposal.
 

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 7, 2016
By:
/s/ Patrick R. O’Neil
   
Patrick R. O’Neil
   
Sr. Vice President, Legal and General Counsel
Corporate Secretary