Abbott Completes Acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals

ABBOTT PARK, Illinois, February 16, 2010 - Abbott (NYSE: ABT) 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 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.

Media, Melissa Brotz, +1-847-935-3456, or Tracy Sorrentino, +1-847-937-8712, or Financial, John Thomas, +1-847-938-2655, or Larry Peepo, +1-847-935-6722, all of Abbott