Ionis Expanded Access Policy

Our mission is to develop medicines that transform the lives of those affected by severe diseases by improving their health and well-being. We are committed to creating new medicines for people where there is an unmet need.

We believe that the goal of making life-changing medicines available to the patient community is achieved through rigorous science, innovation, a commitment to people in need and well-designed clinical studies followed by regulatory approval. The best way to access an investigational medicine, i.e., a medicine being studied that has not received regulatory marketing approval, is through participation in a clinical trial.

Expanded access, also referred to as compassionate use, is one potential pathway for people with life-threatening diseases to gain early access to an investigational medicine outside of a clinical trial when no satisfactory alternative treatment is available. Ionis brought together our medical, clinical research and development, regulatory and senior leadership colleagues to thoroughly evaluate and challenge our policy on expanded access. We have further refined our position through communications with patient advocacy groups and expert independent bioethicists. In alignment with regulatory guidance and developed using the FDA criteria for expanded access, our Ionis policy considers the following criteria to determine if an Ionis investigational medicine can be made available for treatment outside of a clinical trial.

  • The individual has a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition.
  • There is no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy for the disease or condition.
  • The individual does not qualify to participate in any ongoing clinical trial.
  • Sufficient clinical evidence of safety and effectiveness for the indication has been established and concluded that the potential benefit outweighs the potential risks.
  • The investigational medicine is under active development for the requested disease indication.
  • Making the investigational medicine available will not negatively impact or delay the conduct of clinical trials or regulatory review or approval of the investigational drug for broader patient access.
  • Adequate supply of investigational medicine exists.
  • There is a regulatory mechanism in the country or region to support expanded access.

We review and consider expanded access to our investigational medicines regularly, especially as new information about an investigational medicine and its impact emerges from our clinical trials. While reviews like this may not lead to an expanded access program allowing access outside of clinical trials, upholding our commitment to patients means ensuring decisions of this magnitude are discussed and reviewed continually.

This site provides information on available Ionis Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) including the request process. If a specific EAP is not listed for a condition or investigational medicine, it indicates that there are no currently available EAPs from Ionis for that particular condition or investigational medicine. In these cases, participation in a clinical trial is the only way to access the investigational medicine.

It’s important to remember that investigational medicines have not yet received regulatory approval; therefore, their potential risks and benefits are not yet established. Doctors and patients should consider all possible benefits and risks when seeking expanded access to an investigational medicine. We encourage individuals to speak directly with their treating physician regarding current or future options, clinical trials, and expanded access programs.

For questions about our investigational medicines not related to an available Ionis EAP listed below, physicians may contact Ionis directly at [email protected]. We anticipate acknowledging receipt of requests for information sent to this email within 5 business days.

Some of our investigational medicines are being developed with an industry partner. Application of this Ionis Expanded Access Policy to these medications is dependent on the partnership agreement we have in place.

In line with the 21st Century Cures Act, Ionis may revise this policy at any time.

Available Expanded Access Programs at Ionis

Olezarsen for Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS)

At present, Ionis Pharmaceuticals has an EAP available for olezarsen. Olezarsen is an investigational medicine designed to enter liver cells and stop the body’s production of a protein called apoC-III for patients who are at risk of disease due to severely elevated triglyceride levels. The olezarsen EAP is currently open in the United States only, for individuals living with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS).

If you are a patient, family member or caregiver wishing to know more about this olezarsen EAP for FCS, please discuss this EAP and all treatment options with your treating physician.

If you are a treating physician and are seeking information about the olezarsen EAP or would like to request access for a patient, please contact [email protected]

Bionical Emas is a Clinical Research Organization managing the olezarsen EAP on behalf of Ionis.

Safety and efficacy have not been evaluated or established by any regulatory authorities for the investigational medicines and indications described above.

MED-US-2301035 v3 February 2024