Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq: IONS), an RNA-targeted therapeutics company, announced yesterday that it has named Joan E Herman, MBA, MS as its new President and Chief Executive Officer of Herman and Associates LLC.

Herman has experience leading healthcare and payor companies, serving in several executive positions at Anthem, including as president and CEO of the Consumer Business unit, president and CEO of the Specialty, Senior and State Sponsored Business and group president, Senior and Specialty Businesses. She also served as a senior vice president of Phoenix Life Insurance Company. Presently, she serves on the board of directors for Encompass Health (formerly HealthSouth) and earlier served on the boards of Convergys and AARP Services Inc.

Stanley T Crooke, MD, PhD, Ionis founder, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board, said, 'We are pleased to welcome Joan Herman to the Ionis board. She joins Ionis at an exciting time as we celebrate our 30-year anniversary with three commercial medicines and an industry-leading pipeline of more than 40 medicines, many with blockbuster potential. Joan's distinguished career in the healthcare industry, along with her extensive experience in business operations and development make her an outstanding addition to our board.'