Release Details

CARLSBAD, Calif., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS) announces the following webcast:

    What:      Abbott's exercise of its option to purchase Ibis Biosciences,
               a subsidiary of Isis. Total acquisition price will be
               $215 million.

    When:      Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. ET / 5:30 a.m. PT

    Where:     http://www.isispharm.com

    How:       Live on the Internet.  Simply log onto our Web site listed
               above.

    Contacts:  Kristina Lemonidis
               Associate Director, Corporate Development
               (760) 603-2490

               Amy Blackley, Ph.D.
               Manager, Corporate Communications
               (760) 603-2772

If you are unable to participate during the live event, a replay of the webcast will be available for a limited time at http://www.isispharm.com.

ABOUT ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Isis is exploiting its expertise in RNA to discover and develop novel drugs for its product pipeline and for its partners. The Company has successfully commercialized the world's first antisense drug and has 19 drugs in development. Isis' drug development programs are focused on treating cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Isis' partners are developing antisense drugs invented by Isis to treat a wide variety of diseases. Ibis Biosciences, Inc., Isis' majority-owned subsidiary, is developing and commercializing the Ibis T5000(TM) Biosensor System, a revolutionary system to identify infectious organisms. Isis is a joint owner of Regulus Therapeutics LLC, a joint venture focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of microRNA therapeutics. As an innovator in RNA-based drug discovery and development, Isis is the owner or exclusive licensee of over 1,500 issued patents worldwide. Additional information about Isis is available at http://www.isispharm.com.

SOURCE  Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    -0-                             12/17/2008
    /CONTACT:  Kristina Lemonidis, Associate Director, Corporate Development,
+1-760-603-2490, or Amy Blackley, Ph.D., Manager, Corporate Communications,
+1-760-603-2772, both of Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc./
    /Web site:  http://www.isispharm.com /
    (ISIS)

CO:  Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ST:  California
IN:  HEA MTC BIO
SU:  TNM CCA

CR-BL
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9253 12/17/2008 07:05 EST http://www.prnewswire.com