Exhibit 10.1
Fourth Amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
As of March 4, 2026
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Ionis”) values the contributions made by its Board of Directors. In recognition of these valuable contributions, Ionis will provide each non-employee Director with the compensation described in this policy.
Cash Compensation
Each non-employee Director will receive cash compensation based on their role on the Board and Board committees as follows:
| Role | Cash Compensation | |
| Board Member (base retainer) | $60,000 | |
| Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (additional) | $40,000 | |
| Independent Lead Director (additional) | $40,000 | |
| Committee Chair (additional): | ||
| -Audit | $25,000 | |
| -Compliance | $20,000 | |
| -Compensation | $20,000 | |
| -Finance | $20,000 | |
| -Nominating, Governance and Review | $20,000 | |
| -Science/Medical | $20,000 | |
| Committee Member (additional): | | |
| -Audit | $12,500 | |
| -Compliance | $10,000 | |
| -Compensation | $10,000 | |
| -Finance | $10,000 | |
| -Nominating, Governance and Review | $10,000 | |
| -Science/Medical | $10,000 |
Equity Compensation
Each non-employee Director will receive an initial stock option award and restricted stock unit award upon joining the Board and an annual stock option award and restricted stock unit award for each year of continued service as follows (subject to the aggregate grant date value limit described below):
| Type of Grant | Number of Shares* |
| Initial Stock Option Grant | 24,000 |
| Initial Restricted Stock Unit Grant | 10,667 |
| Annual Stock Option Grant | 12,000 |
| Annual Restricted Stock Unit Grant | 5,333 |
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*These equity awards are to be automatically granted pursuant to the terms of the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan as approved by our stockholders (the “NED Plan”). Notwithstanding the terms of the NED Plan, the following annual equity compensation limits will apply to all non-employee Directors until such time as they are revised: (1) incumbent non-employee Directors will receive no more than $400,000 in annual equity compensation per year based on the aggregate grant date fair value (as determined in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718 or its successor), and (2) newly appointed non-employee Directors will receive no more than $600,000 in initial equity compensation based on the aggregate grant date fair value (as determined in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718 or its successor).
The exercise price of each stock option will be the Fair Market Value (as defined in the NED Plan) of Ionis’ common stock on the date of grant.
As set forth in the NED Plan, one-third of the shares subject to stock options or restricted stock units for initial grants to new non-employee Directors vest on each annual anniversary of the date of grant and annual grants vest on either (1) the annual anniversary of the date of grant, or (2) the next regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders, whichever occurs earlier.
While serving on the Board, each non-employee Director may not sell Ionis shares obtained pursuant to vesting of restricted stock unit awards if selling such shares would reduce the shares owned by such non-employee Director (not including stock options or unvested restricted stock units) below an amount that is equal to five times his or her annual base cash retainer.
Review of Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually by Ionis’ Compensation Committee and Board of Directors.
On at least an annual basis, Ionis will retain an independent consultant to (1) advise the Compensation Committee on recent developments and best practices concerning director compensation, and (2) compare Ionis’ director compensation levels, policies, practices, and procedures to a set of peer companies selected by the Compensation Committee with input from the independent consultant.
Ionis reserves the right to amend this compensation policy at any time so long as the issuance of the equity awards comply with the terms of the NED Plan or any successor thereto.
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