Abbott Completes Acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals

Abbott Park, Illinois, February 16, 2010 (ots/PRNewswire) - Abbott
today announced that it has completed its EUR 4.5 billion (US$6.2
billion) acquisition of Belgium-based Solvay Pharmaceuticals,
providing Abbott with a large and complementary portfolio of
pharmaceutical products and expanding Abbott's presence in key global
emerging markets.

Based on the timing of the close, Abbott expects the acquisition
to add approximately US$2.9 billion to Abbott's 2010 total reported
sales, the majority outside the U.S., and add approximately US$500
million to Abbott's annual pharmaceutical R&D investment.

"The acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals is a key part of
Abbott's strategy to bolster our presence in key markets and deliver
sustainable, industry-leading growth," said Miles D. White, chairman
and chief executive officer, Abbott. "In addition to taking both
Abbott and Solvay products into new and expanding markets, the
acquisition enhances our R&D investment, providing Abbott with the
opportunity to drive future pharmaceutical growth."

Abbott has a strong portfolio of specialty pharmaceuticals and
Solvay brings successful, consistently performing products -
including branded generics - that will further diversify Abbott's
pharmaceutical business and provide significant growth opportunities.
These products complement Abbott's presence and expertise in
specialty markets such as cardiovascular disease, neuroscience and
gastroenterology, and include treatments for men's and women's
hormonal health, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (inability to
properly digest food), which is associated with several underlying
conditions including cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.

"The combination of Solvay and Abbott's pharmaceutical businesses
will enable Abbott to attain leadership in key emerging markets,
where there is significant opportunity for branded generics," said
Olivier Bohuon, executive vice president, Pharmaceutical Products
Group, Abbott. "The addition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals is the
catalyst for Abbott's growth and leadership in this area, and will
ensure Abbott has the infrastructure, reach and product offerings to
continue meeting the needs of patients around the world."

Solvay Pharmaceuticals is now part of Abbott's global
Pharmaceutical Products Group. Werner Cautreels, chief executive
officer of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, will serve in a transitional role
and will then leave the company.

The impact of the Solvay Pharmaceuticals acquisition has been
reflected in Abbott's previously issued earnings-per-share guidance
for the first-quarter and full-year 2010.

As previously disclosed, the transaction also includes payments
of up to EUR 300 million if certain sales milestones are met between
2011 and 2013.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to
the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of
pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices
and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 83,000 people and
markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the
company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.

Abbott Forward Looking Statement

Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking
statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Abbott cautions that these forward-looking statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results
to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking
statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and
other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in
Item 1A, "Risk Factors," to our Annual Report on Securities and
Exchange Commission Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and
are incorporated by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to
release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a
result of subsequent events or developments.

ots Originaltext: Abbott Laboratories
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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