Akcea

Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes antisense therapies for rare diseases. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ionis Pharmaceuticals and uses Ionis’ antisense oligonucleotide technology to translate discoveries into medicines. Established in 2015 to commercialize Ionis’ late-stage antisense candidates, Akcea operates its own commercial organization while relying on Ionis for discovery and early development.

Lead products in Akcea’s portfolio include TEGSEDI (inotersen), an antisense drug approved for hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN); and Waylivra (volanesorsen), developed for familial chylomicronemia syndrome and other severe triglyceride disorders, with regulatory status varying by jurisdiction. These therapies illustrate the company’s model of advancing Ionis-discovered programs into the market through its dedicated commercialization structure.

Beyond marketed medicines, Akcea supports additional programs in Ionis’ pipeline and collaborates with partners to extend the reach of antisense therapies. The company emphasizes building a global commercial footprint for rare-disease treatments and expanding patient access to innovative medicines. Akcea’s activities reflect a strategic approach to bringing Ionis’ antisense technology from discovery to patients, often prioritizing programs with significant unmet medical need.