Ionis Pharmaceuticals Soars 33.4% on Groundbreaking sHTG Trial Results: A New Era in Cardiovascular Therapeutics?

Summary
• Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) surges 33.4% intraday, hitting a 52-week high of $57.29
• Phase 3 olezarsen trials show 72% triglyceride reduction and 85% fewer pancreatitis events in sHTG patients
• FDA sNDA submission planned by year-end, with webcast today at 8:30 a.m. ET

The stock’s meteoric rise follows landmark Phase 3 data for olezarsen, a therapy targeting severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG). With nearly 3 million U.S. patients affected by sHTG, the drug’s potential to disrupt the $1.2 billion lipid-lowering market has ignited investor frenzy. The intraday swing—from $49.13 to $57.29—reflects a 33.4% rally, driven by unprecedented clinical outcomes and a favorable safety profile.

Olezarsen’s Dual Success Sparks Market Reassessment
Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ stock erupted following the release of Phase 3 CORE and CORE2 trial data for olezarsen, which demonstrated a 72% placebo-adjusted reduction in triglycerides and an 85% reduction in acute pancreatitis events—the first therapy to achieve such results in sHTG. The 80 mg and 50 mg doses outperformed placebo with p-values <0.0001, while the safety profile showed manageable adverse events. The data, published in NEJM and presented at ESC Congress, position olezarsen as a potential blockbuster, with the company targeting an sNDA submission by year-end. The webcast scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET further amplified short-term momentum, as investors anticipate regulatory clarity and commercialization timelines.

Options Playbook: Leveraging Olezarsen’s Momentum with Gamma-Driven Contracts
• 200-day average: 35.41085 (well below current price)
• RSI: 61.24 (neutral to overbought)
• MACD: 0.306 (bullish divergence from signal line 0.408)
• Bollinger Bands: Price at 56.875, far above upper band 44.23

IONS is trading at a 33.4% premium to its 200-day average, with RSI and MACD signaling strong short-term bullish momentum. The stock’s 52-week high of 57.29 aligns with its intraday peak, suggesting a potential consolidation phase. For leveraged exposure, the XLV ETF (healthcare sector) could amplify directional bets, though liquidity constraints in leveraged ETFs remain a risk. The options chain reveals two high-conviction plays:

• IONS20250919C55 (Call, $55 strike, 9/19 expiry):
- IV: 45.61% (moderate)
- Delta: 0.6896 (high sensitivity)
- Theta: -0.1412 (rapid time decay)
- Gamma: 0.0607 (strong price responsiveness)
- Turnover: 501,547 (high liquidity)
- LVR: 15.31% (moderate leverage)
- Payoff at 5% upside: $4.72/share (4.72/55 = 8.58% return)
This contract offers a balance of liquidity and gamma, ideal for capitalizing on a potential post-webcast rally. The high turnover ensures ease of entry/exit, while the moderate delta and IV suggest manageable volatility.

• IONS20251017C55 (Call, $55 strike, 10/17 expiry):
- IV: 38.59% (lower than 9/19)
- Delta: 0.6629 (high sensitivity)
- Theta: -0.061987 (slower decay)
- Gamma: 0.0464 (moderate responsiveness)
- Turnover: 26,023 (reasonable liquidity)
- LVR: 12.48% (moderate leverage)
- Payoff at 5% upside: $4.72/share (4.72/55 = 8.58% return)
This longer-dated option provides a buffer against near-term volatility, with lower theta decay. The 38.59% IV is attractive for a 10/17 expiry, offering a cost-effective way to hold a bullish stance through the sNDA timeline.

Aggressive bulls should consider IONS20250919C55 into a break above $55.50, leveraging its gamma and liquidity for rapid capital gains.

Backtest Ionis Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance

Positioning for a Post-Webcast Catalyst: Olezarsen’s FDA Pathway in Focus
The 33.4% intraday surge underscores olezarsen’s transformative potential in sHTG, with the FDA sNDA submission by year-end serving as the next critical catalyst. Technicals suggest a consolidation phase above $55, with the 52-week high of $57.29 acting as a psychological barrier. Investors should monitor the 9/2 webcast for regulatory insights and commercialization timelines. The sector leader, JNJ (Johnson & Johnson), rose 0.5757% today, reflecting broader healthcare sector optimism. For those seeking directional exposure, the IONS20250919C55 call offers a high-gamma, high-liquidity vehicle to capitalize on a potential post-webcast breakout. Watch for a $55.50 close on 9/2 to confirm bullish momentum.