Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan

Exhibit 10.3

Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan

(As of April 1, 2020)

Akcea values the contributions made by its Board of directors.  In recognition of these valuable contributions, Akcea will provide each non-employee Director¹ with the compensation described in this memo.

Cash Compensation

Each non-employee Director will receive cash compensation based on his/her role on the Board and Board committees:

Equity Compensation

Each non-employee Director will receive an initial stock option award upon joining the Board, and will receive an annual stock option award for each year of continued service, as follows:

The exercise price of each option will be the fair market value of Akcea’s common stock on the date of grant.

The Initial Stock Option Equity Grant will vest over a three-year period in equal annual installments and be subject to the terms of Akcea’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The Annual Stock Option Equity Grant will vest in full on the 12-month anniversary of the grant date and be subject to the terms of Akcea’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.  The vesting of the options will accelerate in the case of a change of control of Akcea, as further described your option agreement and the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

Akcea reserves the right to amend this compensation policy at any time.