---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001140361-23-057644"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "IONS"
cik: "0000874015"
company_name: "IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC"
filed_at: "2023-12-14T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-07T13:14:39.565765+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Ionis appoints Michael Yang to Board of Directors, expanding board to 10

## Summary
- Michael Yang appointed to Ionis board effective December 14, 2023.
- Yang most recently served as CEO of ViaCyte, acquired by Vertex in 2022.
- Former EVP & Chief Commercial Officer at Acadia Pharmaceuticals (2017-2021).
- Yang previously President of Janssen Biotech, generating over $8B in annual revenues.
- Will receive standard non-employee director cash and equity compensation.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001140361-23-057644
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: IONS
- cik: 0000874015
- company_name: IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC
- filed_at: 2023-12-14T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.35
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874015/000114036123057644/0001140361-23-057644-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874015/000114036123057644/ef20016672_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-23-057644
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-23-057644.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-23-057644.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michael Yang was appointed as Director at IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On December 14, 2023, the Board of Directors (“ Board ”) of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “ Company ”) appointed Michael Yang as a member of the Company’s Board effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874015/000114036123057644/0001140361-23-057644-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.