Abbott to buy Ibis Biosciences

Abbott Laboratories plans to pay $175 million to complete the purchase of a company that makes sensors that government agencies and criminal detectives can use to identify germs rapidly.

The drug maker will buy the 81% interest in Ibis Biosciences Inc. that is now held by Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Abbott earlier this year acquired 19% of Ibis, based in Carlsbad, Calif., for $40 million. The new transaction is expected to close in January, the companies said.