Isis Pharmaceuticals has notified that it will sell its subsidiary Ibis Biosciences, which developed germ detection technology, for $175 million to molecular diagnostics maker Abbott Laboratories.

Ibis makes the T5000 biosensor system, which helps quickly identify infections. It is currently intended for research use only, ranging from epidemiological surveys to monitoring and identifying diseases.

Earlier this year, Abbott invested $40 million for a minority stake in Ibis, a Carlsbad, Calif., maker of molecular diagnostic systems for infectious diseases. In total, Abbott paid $215 million to acquire Ibis.

Sources confirm that North Chicago-based Abbott intends to retain all 70 Ibis employees. However, the workers will move from Isis to a new Abbott facility in San Diego, which has not yet been determined.

The transaction is expected to close in January.