The parent company of one of Ottawa’s largest life sciences firms has announced plans to sell a segment of Kanata-based Nordion, with roughly 150 employees changing firms as part of the deal.

Virginia-based BWX Technologies will acquire Nordion’s medical isotopes division from current owner Sotera Health, the firms announced Tuesday.

The sale of the medical isotopes segment, which includes a variety of medical applications including cancer diagnosis and treatment, leaves Nordion with its gamma technologies division, also operating out of Kanata.

An estimated 150 employees will transfer to BWX Technologies, including Nordion’s Vancouver operations, as part of the deal. Nordion says that will leave approximately 150 employees under its banner in Kanata, though both firms will continue to operate out of the same building after the acquisition closes.

Nordion president Kevin Brooks said in a statement that the company will focus on accelerating growth in the gamma sterilization technologies field.

The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2018.