# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000874015
**File Stem:** 0001193125-23-039063
**Filing Date:** 2023-2
**Character Count:** 11403
**Document Hash:** 81d4f8bb022e14fc644d1435b8a3b816
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-23-039063.hdr.sgml**: 20230214

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-23-039063

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: SC 13G/A

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 2

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230214

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230214

**GROUP MEMBERS**: BIOTECH INVEST N.V.

**SUBJECT COMPANY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000874015
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 330336973
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** CA
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** SC 13G/A
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 005-41771
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23629067

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 2855 GAZELLE COURT
- **CITY:** CARLSBAD
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92010
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 7609319200

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 2855 GAZELLE COURT
- **CITY:** CARLSBAD
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92010

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19930328
**FILED BY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** BB BIOTECH AG
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000924223
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** V8
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** SC 13G/A

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** SCHWERTSTRASSE 6
- **CITY:** SCHAFFHAUSEN
- **STATE:** V8
- **ZIP:** 8200
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 411724 59 59

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** SCHWERTSTRASSE 6
- **CITY:** SCHAFFHAUSEN
- **STATE:** V8
- **ZIP:** 8200

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**United States** 

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION** 

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549** 

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**SCHEDULE 13G** 

**Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934** 

**(Amendment No. 12)\*** 

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## IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
**(Name of Issuer)** 

**Common Stock** 

**(Title of Class of Securities)** 

**462222100** 

**(CUSIP Number)** 

**December 31, 2022** 

**(Date of Event Which Requires Filing This Statement)** 

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Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

☐ Rule 13d-1(b)

☒ Rule 13d-1(c)

☐ Rule 13d-1(d)

\* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed " for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

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CUSIP No. **462222100**

1. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Names of Reporting Persons &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **BB Biotech AG**

2. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Check the Appropriate Box
if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) ☒ (b) ☐

3. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; SEC Use Only

4. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Citizenship or Place of
Organization &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Switzerland**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 5. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Voting Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**0** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 6. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Voting Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**9,635,000** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 7. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Dispositive Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**0** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 8. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Dispositive Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**9,635,000** |

---

9. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **9,635,000**

10. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Check if the Aggregate
Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ☐

11. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Percent of
Class Represented by amount in Row (9) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **6.8%**

12. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Type of Reporting Person
(See Instructions) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **HC,CO**

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CUSIP No. **462222100**

1. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Names of Reporting Persons &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Biotech Invest N.V.**

2. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Check the Appropriate Box
if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) ☒ (b) ☐

3. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; SEC Use Only

4. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Citizenship or Place of
Organization &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Curacao**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 5. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Voting Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**0** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 6. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Voting Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**9,635,000** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 7. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sole Dispositive Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**0** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number of<br> Shares<br> Beneficially <br> Owned by<br> Each<br> Reporting<br> Person<br> with: | 8. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared Dispositive Power<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**9,635,000** |

---

9. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **9,635,000**

10. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Check if the Aggregate
Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ☐

11. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Percent of
Class Represented by amount in Row (9) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **6.8%**

12. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Type of Reporting Person
(See Instructions) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **CO**

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**Item 1** 

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **1(a)** | **Name of Issuer: <u>Ionis Pharmaceuticals,</u> <u>Inc.</u>**  |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **1(b)** | **Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:**  |

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<u>**2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, California 92010**</u>

**Item 2** 

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **2(a)** | **Name of Person Filing: <u>BB Biotech AG ("BB Biotech") on behalf of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Biotech Invest N.V. ("Biotech Invest")</u>**  |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **2(b)** | **Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence:**  |

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**<u>BB Biotech AG: Schwertstrasse 6, CH-8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland</u>** 

**<u>Biotech Invest N.V.: Ara Hill Top Building, Unit A-5, Pletterijweg Oost 1, Curaçao</u>** 

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **2(c)** | **Citizenship: <u>BB Biotech AG: Switzerland</u>**  |

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**<u>Biotech Invest N.V.: Curacao</u>**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **2(d)** | **Title of Class of Securities <u>Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value</u>**  |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **2(e)** | **CUSIP Number <u>462222100</u>**  |

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**Item 4. Ownership** 

**Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(a)** **Amount beneficially owned: <u>9,635,000</u>** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(b)** **Percent of class: <u>6.8%</u>** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(c)** **Number of shares as to which the person has:** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(i)** **Sole power to vote or to direct the vote <u>0</u>** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(ii)** **Shared power to vote or to direct the vote <u>9,635,000</u>** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(iii)** **Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of <u>0</u>** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(iv)** **Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of <u>9,635,000</u>** 

**Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.** 

**<u>This statement is filed jointly by BB Biotech and Biotech Invest. Biotech Invest is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BB Biotech.</u>** 

4 of 8

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**Item 10. Certification** 

**By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.** 

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**SIGNATURES** 

After reasonable inquiry and the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

**<u>BB Biotech AG</u>**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Date: **February 10, 2023** | By: | **/s/ Daniel Koller** |
|  |  | Signatory Authority |
|  | Name: | **Daniel Koller** |
|  | Title: | **Signatory Authority** |
| Date: **February 10, 2023** | By: | **/s/ Ivo Betschart** |
|  |  | Signatory Authority |
|  | Name: | Ivo Betschart |
|  | Title: | Signatory Authority |
| **<u>Biotech Invest N.V.</u>** |  |  |
| Date: **February 10, 2023** | By: | **/s/ Jan Bootsma** |
|  |  | Signatory Authority |
|  | Name: | **Jan Bootsma** |
|  | Title: | **Signatory Authority** |
| Date: **February 10, 2023** | By: | **/s/ Nathalie M.A. Isidora-Kwidama** |
|  |  | Signatory Authority |
|  | Name: | **Hugo van Neutegem** |
|  | Title: | **Signatory Authority** |

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**<u>Exhibit Index</u>**

Exhibit A: Agreement by and between BB Biotech AG and Biotech Invest N.V. with respect to the filing of this disclosure statement.\*

Exhibit B: Power of Attorney

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\* Previously filed as an exhibit to BB Biotech AG and Biotech Invest N.V.'s Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2020.

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## Ex-99.B

**Exhibit B** 

**POWER OF ATTORNEY** 

The Undersigned,

**Hugo van Neutegem** 

herewith gives Power of Attorney to **Mrs. Nathalie M.A. Isidora-Kwidama,** born in Curacao on, holder of a passport issued by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with number, to represent the Company in the broadest sense of the word and in the best interest of the Company and further to do if were the Undersigned personally present.

This Power of Attorney is valid for the period February 6, 2023 up and to including February 28, 2023.

Willemstad, Curaçao, February 3, 2023.

Mrs. Nathalie M.A. Isidora-Kwidama will sign as follows:

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| |
|:---|
|  /s/ Nathalie M.A. Isidora-Kwidama |
|  Mrs. Nathalie M.A. Isidora-Kwidama |

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| |
|:---|
| /s/ Hugo van Neutegem |
| Mr. Hugo van Neutegem |

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