Abbott Reports 11 Percent Ongoing Earnings-Per-Share Growth in Second Quarter; Raises 2011 EPS Guidance Range

By Abbott, PRNE
Tuesday, July 19, 2011

ABBOTT PARK, Illinois, July 20, 2011 -


– Reports 9 Percent Sales Growth
with 23 Percent Growth in Emerging Markets –

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced financial results for the
second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

  • Diluted earnings per share, excluding specified items, were
    $1.12, at the high end of Abbott’s previous guidance range and
    reflecting 10.9 percent growth. Diluted earnings per share under
    Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) were $1.23,
    reflecting growth of 48.2 percent, including specified items.
     
  • Worldwide sales increased 9 percent to $9.6 billion, including
    a favorable 4.6 percent effect of foreign exchange. Sales were led
    by a 13 percent increase in Proprietary Pharmaceuticals sales.
    Durable Growth Business sales increased 7.5 percent, driven by
    double-digit growth in International Nutritionals, Point of Care
    Diagnostics and Established Pharmaceuticals. Innovation-Driven
    Device Business sales increased 3.1 percent, including double-digit
    growth in Molecular Diagnostics.
  • Emerging markets sales were nearly $2.6 billion, up 23.2
    percent from the prior year, with strong growth across all of
    Abbott’s operating divisions.
  • The gross margin ratio was 60.2 percent in the second quarter,
    driven by favorable product mix.
  • Abbott is raising its previous ongoing earnings-per-share
    guidance range for the full-year 2011 to $4.58 to $4.68, confirming
    its outlook for double-digit growth over 2010 at the midpoint of
    the range. The previously issued guidance range was $4.54 to
    $4.64
    .

“Abbott is well-positioned for a strong second half of the year
as we remain on track for double-digit EPS growth in 2011,” said
Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott.
“We’re also pleased with our growth in emerging markets, as well as
the progress of our broad-based pipeline, including several new
product approvals, regulatory submissions and clinical trial
initiations.”

The following is a summary of second-quarter 2011 sales by major
business category.


                                       Sales ($ in millions)
                                      U.S.    Int'l    Total

    Total Sales                      3,938    5,678    9,616

    Durable Growth:

     Nutritionals                      655      835    1,490

     Established Pharmaceuticals(a)     --    1,339    1,339

     Core Laboratory Diagnostics       152      704      856

     Diabetes Care                     133      201      334

     Point of Care Diagnostics          60       18       78

      Subtotal                       1,000    3,097    4,097

    Proprietary Pharmaceuticals      2,302    1,860    4,162

    Innovation-Driven Devices:

     Vascular                          395      440      835

     Medical Optics                    102      187      289

     Molecular Diagnostics              45       60      105

      Subtotal                         542      687    1,229

    Other Sales(b)                      94       34      128

                                               % Change vs. 2Q10
                                            Int'l                Total
                          U.S.   Operational  Reported  Operational  Reported

    Total Sales            3.9       4.7        12.8        4.4         9.0

    Durable Growth:

     Nutritionals         (3.6)      8.2        13.7        2.6         5.4

     Established
     Pharmaceuticals(a)    n/a       3.2        10.3        3.2        10.3

     Core Laboratory
     Diagnostics           4.4       0.7         8.7        1.4         7.9

     Diabetes Care         4.3      (6.7)        1.7       (2.4)        2.7

     Point of Care
     Diagnostics          17.6      10.5        16.3       16.0        17.3

      Subtotal            (0.4)      3.3        10.3        2.4         7.5

    Proprietary
    Pharmaceuticals        8.8       9.1        18.8        8.9        13.0

    Innovation-Driven
    Devices:

     Vascular             (9.5)      1.1        10.4       (4.4)        ---

     Medical Optics        2.9      (0.2)       10.3        0.9         7.5

     Molecular
     Diagnostics           5.5      20.7        30.5       13.4        18.5

      Subtotal            (6.2)      2.2        11.9       (1.9)        3.1

    Other Sales(b)        (1.5)    (28.1)      (25.8)      (8.5)       (7.7)
    Notes:   1) See "Consolidated Statement of Earnings" for more
                information.
             2) "Operational" growth reflects percentage change over the
                prior year excluding the impact of exchange rates.

    (a) Established Pharmaceuticals includes sales of branded generics
        outside of the United States.
    (b) Includes sales primarily from Contract Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
        and Animal Health.

    n/a = Not applicable

The following is a summary of first-half 2011 sales by major
business category.


                                     Sales ($ in millions)
                                    U.S.     Int'l     Total

    Total Sales                    7,455    11,202    18,657

    Durable Growth:

     Nutritionals                  1,293     1,621     2,914

     Established Pharmaceuticals(a)   --     2,634     2,634

     Core Laboratory Diagnostics     305     1,363     1,668

     Diabetes Care                   262       398       660

     Point of Care Diagnostics       115        33       148

      Subtotal                     1,975     6,049     8,024

    Proprietary Pharmaceuticals    4,229     3,716     7,945

    Innovation-Driven Devices:

     Vascular                        784       895     1,679

     Medical Optics                  201       356       557

     Molecular Diagnostics            91       114       205

      Subtotal                     1,076     1,365     2,441

    Other Sales(b)                   175        72       247

                                             % Change vs. 1H10
                                           Int'l                Total
                          U.S.   Operational  Reported  Operational Reported

    Total Sales           5.8       12.9      18.2         9.8      12.9

    Durable Growth:

     Nutritionals        (2.2)      10.0      14.7         4.1       6.5

     Established
     Pharmaceuticals(a)   n/a       30.8      36.4        30.8      36.4

     Core Laboratory
     Diagnostics          4.5        3.0       7.9         3.3       7.3

     Diabetes Care        4.8        2.2       7.4         3.2       6.3

     Point of Care
     Diagnostics         12.1       11.4      15.6        12.0      12.9

      Subtotal            0.4       15.8      20.9        11.4      15.1

    Proprietary
    Pharmaceuticals      10.5        9.5      14.7        10.0      12.4

    Innovation-Driven
    Devices:

     Vascular            (7.8)      15.8      22.5         3.1       6.2

     Medical Optics       0.4        0.6       8.0         0.5       5.1

     Molecular
     Diagnostics          3.7       22.6      28.1        13.2      16.0

      Subtotal           (5.5)      11.9      18.7         3.3       6.7

    Other Sales(b)       54.5       15.4      16.5        23.6      24.1
    Notes:   1) See "Consolidated Statement of Earnings" for more
                information.
             2) "Operational" growth reflects percentage change over the
                prior year excluding the impact of exchange rates.

    (a) Established Pharmaceuticals includes sales of branded generics
        outside of the United States.
    (b) Includes sales primarily from Contract Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
        and Animal Health.

    n/a = Not applicable

The following is a summary of second-quarter 2011 sales for
select products.


                                    Sales ($ in millions)
                                     U.S.    Int'l    Total

    HUMIRA                            825    1,172    1,997

    Pediatric Nutritionals            299      480      779

    Adult Nutritionals                352      355      707

    Coronary Stents                   244      281      525

    TRILIPIX/TriCor (fenofibrate)     328       91      419

    Kaletra                            80      256      336

    Niaspan                           247       --      247

    Lupron                            135       70      205

    Synthroid                         140       29      169

                                              % Change vs. 2Q10
                                          Int'l                Total
                         U.S.   Operational Reported   Operational Reported

    HUMIRA               18.5        18.9     30.6       18.7      25.3

    Pediatric
    Nutritionals        (10.5)        7.7     11.9       (0.3)      2.1

    Adult
    Nutritionals           5.2        9.1     16.4        7.0      10.5

    Coronary Stents     (12.9)        1.5     10.9       (6.1)     (1.6)

    TRILIPIX/TriCor
    (fenofibrate)          3.4        6.2     17.9        3.9       6.2

    Kaletra             (14.0)       19.2     27.4        8.7      14.3

    Niaspan               17.2        n/a      n/a       17.2      17.2

    Lupron                12.0       (3.6)     4.7        6.5       9.4

    Synthroid             35.9        5.7     12.4       30.0      31.3

The following is a summary of first-half 2011 sales for select
products.


                                    Sales ($ in millions)
                                    U.S.     Int'l    Total

    HUMIRA                          1,455    2,188    3,643

    Pediatric Nutritionals            608      926    1,534

    Adult Nutritionals                675      695    1,370

    Coronary Stents                   478      571    1,049

    TRILIPIX/TriCor (fenofibrate)     617      173      790

    Kaletra                           144      441      585

    Niaspan                           473       --      473

    Lupron                            254      135      389

    Synthroid                         257       57      314

                                              % Change vs. 1H10
                                          Int'l                 Total
                         U.S.    Operational Reported  Operational Reported

    HUMIRA              17.5        18.7     24.9         18.2     21.8

    Pediatric
    Nutritionals        (5.5)        8.8     12.9          2.5      4.8

    Adult
    Nutritionals         3.6        11.7     17.3          7.4     10.1

    Coronary Stents    (11.4)       19.7     27.4          2.7      6.2

    TRILIPIX/TriCor
    (fenofibrate)        3.6        75.1     84.4         13.3     14.6

    Kaletra            (12.4)        0.5      4.5         (3.2)    (0.3)

    Niaspan             13.9         n/a      n/a         13.9     13.9

    Lupron              11.4        (2.8)     2.8          6.3      8.3

    Synthroid           27.7         5.4     12.0         23.2     24.5
    Notes: 1) See "Consolidated Statement of Earnings" for more information.
           2) "Operational" growth reflects percentage change over the prior
              year excluding the impact of exchange rates.

    n/a = Not applicable

Business Highlights

  • Initiated Phase 3 Study of Bardoxolone Methyl; Announced
    52-week Phase 2 Data:
     Announced with Reata the beginning
    of a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and
    efficacy of bardoxolone methyl in patients with chronic kidney
    disease (CKD) and Type 2 diabetes. Results are expected in 2013.
    The New England Journal of Medicine published Phase 2 clinical
    trial data, showing that bardoxolone has the potential to delay
    kidney disease progression.
  • Launched XIENCE nano to Treat Coronary Artery Disease
    in Small Vessels:
     Launched XIENCE nano™ Everolimus
    Eluting Coronary Stent System for the treatment of coronary artery
    disease in small vessels in the United States. XIENCE nano offers a
    new option for treating patients with coronary artery disease in
    vessels as small as 2.25 mm in diameter.
  • Reported Interim Results from a Phase 3 Study for Advanced
    Parkinson’s Disease:
     Announced interim efficacy and
    safety results from a 54-week, Phase 3 open-label study of Abbott’s
    investigational treatment for advanced Parkinson’s disease showing
    patients treated with levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) for
    12 weeks reported improvement in motor symptoms. LCIG is in Phase 3
    development in the United States and is approved for use in 38
    countries.
  • Launched New ZonePerfect Flavors:  Introduced new
    ZonePerfect® Sweet & Salty nutrition bars, which combine sweet
    and salty flavors, while providing excellent nutrition. ZonePerfect
    Sweet & Salty bars have 10 grams of protein and 19 vitamins and
    minerals providing a convenient, nutritious snack.
  • Received U.S. Approval for AndroGel 1.62% to Treat Men with
    Low Testosterone:
     Announced U.S. Food and Drug
    Administration (FDA) approval of AndroGel® (testosterone gel)
    1.62%, a clear, odorless, gel formulation shown to restore
    testosterone levels in hypogonadal men with half the volume of gel
    at the starting dose compared to AndroGel 1%.
  • Received FDA Approval for a New Six-Month Formulation of
    Lupron Depot:
     Launched in the United States a new
    six-month administration formulation of Lupron Depot® (leuprolide
    acetate for depot suspension), a palliative treatment for advanced
    prostate cancer.
  • Submitted New Molecular Test for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    Therapy Selection:
     Submitted regulatory applications in
    the United States and Japan for a new molecular diagnostic test
    designed to detect abnormal gene rearrangements in non-small-cell
    lung cancer tumors. The test is intended to be used with Pfizer’s
    crizotinib, an oral first-in-class anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)
    inhibitor, also under regulatory review.
  • Announced Agreement with Biotest to Develop Antibody for
    Autoimmune Diseases:
     Announced a global agreement with
    Biotest AG to develop and commercialize BT-061, a novel anti-CD4
    biologic for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. BT-061 is in
    Phase 2 clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis
    and in preclinical studies in other immune-related diseases.
  • Received CE Mark for FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose
    Monitoring System:  Announced CE Mark for FreeStyle
    InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring System, the first blood glucose
    monitoring device from Abbott that includes a mealtime (bolus)
    insulin calculator.
  • Received FDA approval for expanded indication for RX
    ACCULINK Carotid Stent System:  The FDA approved an
    expanded indication for RX ACCULINK® to treat patients with carotid
    artery disease at standard risk of adverse events from carotid
    endarterectomy (surgery).

Abbott raises ongoing EPS guidance; confirms strong
growth outlook for 2011  

Abbott is raising its previous ongoing earnings-per-share
guidance range for the full-year 2011, based on strong performance
to date and the outlook for the remainder of the year. As a result,
the new guidance range for full-year 2011 ongoing earnings per
share is $4.58 to $4.68, confirming Abbott’s outlook for
double-digit growth at the midpoint of the range. The previously
issued guidance range was $4.54 to $4.64.

Abbott forecasts specified items for the full-year 2011 of
approximately $0.60 per share, primarily associated with
acquisition integration/cost reduction initiatives, in-process
R&D, partially offset by the favorable impact of the resolution
of various international and U.S. tax positions. Including these
specified items, projected earnings per share under Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) would be $3.98 to $4.08 for
the full-year 2011.

Abbott declares 350th quarterly
dividend

On June 10, 2011, the board of directors of Abbott declared the
company’s quarterly common dividend of 48 cents per share. The cash
dividend is payable Aug. 15, 2011, to shareholders of record at the
close of business on July 15, 2011. This marks the 350th
consecutive dividend paid by Abbott since 1924.

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 nearly 90,000 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 will
webcast its live second-quarter earnings conference call through
its Investor Relations Web site at www.abbottinvestor.com at
8 a.m. Central time today. An archived edition of the call will be
available after 11 a.m. Central time.

-Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
-

A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements

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 f
rom
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
Commis
sion Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2010, 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.


                      Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

                       Consolidated Statement of Earnings

                   Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

                      (in millions, except per share data)

                                   (unaudited)

                                             2011       2010    % Change

    Net Sales                               $ 9,616    $ 8,826      9.0

    Cost of products sold                     3,870      3,544      9.2 1)
    Research and development                  1,038        858     21.0
    Acquired in-process research and
    development                                 173         75      n/m
    Selling, general and administrative       2,762      2,743      0.7
    Total Operating Cost and Expenses         7,843      7,220      8.6

    Operating earnings                        1,773      1,606     10.4

    Net interest expense                        115         96     19.7
    Net foreign exchange (gain) loss            (11)       (41)      n/m
    Other (income) expense, net                  (6)        (8)      n/m
    Earnings before taxes                     1,675      1,559      7.4
    Taxes on earnings                          (268)       267      n/m 2)
    Net Earnings                            $ 1,943    $ 1,292     50.4

    Net Earnings Excluding Specified Items,
    as described below                      $ 1,768    $ 1,578     12.1 3)

    Diluted Earnings per Common Share        $ 1.23     $ 0.83     48.2

    Diluted Earnings Per Common Share,
    Excluding Specified Items,
    as described below                       $ 1.12     $ 1.01     10.9 3)

    Average Number of Common Shares
    Outstanding Plus Dilutive
    Common Stock Options and Awards           1,566      1,552
    1)          2011 Cost of products sold includes approximately $430
                million of non-cash intangible amortization.

    2)          2011 Taxes on earnings includes a favorable adjustment to tax
                expense of $519 million, or $0.33 per share, as a result of
                the resolution of various prior years' international and U.S.
                tax positions. This favorable item is classified as a
                specified item and excluded from ongoing results, as
                discussed below.

    3)          2011 Net Earnings Excluding Specified Items excludes
                after-tax charges of $60 million, or $0.04 per share,
                associated with the acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals,
                $35 million, or $0.02 per share, for previously announced
                cost reduction initiatives and other, $76 million, or $0.05
                per share, for the impairment of an R&D intangible asset,
                $173 million, or $0.11 per share, relating to acquired
                in-process research and development related to the Reata and
                Biotest collaborations. These items were offset by a
                favorable adjustment from the resolution of prior years'
                international and U.S. tax positions for $519 million, or
                $0.33 per share.

                2010 Net Earnings Excluding Specified Items excludes
                after-tax charges of $75 million, or $0.05 per share, for
                acquired in-process research and development related to the
                Neurocrine collaboration, $106 million, or $0.07 per share,
                for a litigation reserve, $83 million, or $0.05 per share,
                for closing and integration costs associated with the
                acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals and other acquisitions
                and $22 million, or $0.01 per share, for cost reduction
                initiatives and other.

    NOTE: See attached questions and answers section for further explanation
    of Consolidated Statement of Earnings line items.

    n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.

                      Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

                       Consolidated Statement of Earnings

                     First Half Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

                      (in millions, except per share data)

                                   (unaudited)

                                            2011        2010      % Change

    Net Sales                             $ 18,657    $ 16,524      12.9

    Cost of products sold                    7,729       6,879      12.4 1)
    Research and development                 1,968       1,588      23.9
    Acquired in-process research and
    development                                273          75       n/m
    Selling, general and administrative      5,613       4,906      14.4
    Total Operating Cost and Expenses       15,583      13,448      15.9

    Operating earnings                       3,074       3,076      (0.1)

    Net interest expense                       239         185      29.3
    Net foreign exchange (gain) loss           (43)         29       n/m
    Other (income) expense, net                135         (19)      n/m 2)
    Earnings before taxes                    2,743       2,881      (4.8)
    Taxes on earnings                          (63)        586       n/m 3)
    Net Earnings                           $ 2,806     $ 2,295      22.3

    Net Earnings Excluding Specified
    Items, as described below              $ 3,186     $ 2,845      12.0 4)

    Diluted Earnings per Common Share       $ 1.79      $ 1.47      21.8

    Diluted Earnings Per Common Share,
    Excluding Specified Items,
    as described below                      $ 2.03      $ 1.82      11.5 4)

    Average Number of Common Shares
    Outstanding Plus Dilutive
    Common Stock Options and Awards          1,562       1,557
    1)          2011 Cost of products sold includes approximately $830
                million of non-cash intangible amortization.

    2)          Other (income) expense, net for 2011 includes a charge of
                $137 million for the impact of Abbott's change to a calendar
                year end for the international operations that were
                previously reported on a November 30 year-end. This is being
                treated as a specified item as noted below.

    3)          2011 Taxes on earnings includes a favorable adjustment to tax
                expense of $519 million, or $0.33 per share, as a result of
                the resolution of various prior years' international and U.S.
                tax positions. This favorable item is classified as a
                specified item and excluded from ongoing results, as
                discussed below.

    4)          2011 Net Earnings Excluding Specified Items excludes
                after-tax charges of $142 million, or $0.09 per share,
                associated with the acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals,
                $107 million, or $0.07 per share, for previously announced
                restructuring in the pharmaceutical business, $88 million, or
                $0.05 per share, for previously announced cost reduction
                initiatives and other, $137 million, or $0.09 per share, for
                the 2009 and 2010 impact of the change to a calendar year end
                for international operations, $273 million, or $0.17 per
                share, relating to acquired in-process research and
                development related to the Reata and Biotest collaborations,
                $76 million, or $0.05 per share, for the impairment of an R&D
                intangible asset, and $76 million, or $0.05 per share, for
                litigation reserves. These items were offset by a favorable
                adjustment from the resolution of prior years' international
                and U.S. tax positions for $519 million, or $0.33 per share.

                2010 Net Earnings Excluding Specified Items excludes
                after-tax charges of $115 million, or $0.07 per share, for
                the one-time impact of the devaluation of the Venezuelan
                bolivar on balance sheet translation, $75 million, or $0.05
                per share, relating to acquired in-process research and
                development related to the Neurocrine collaboration, $106
                million, or $0.07 per share, for a litigation reserve, $136
                million, or $0.09 per share, for closing and integration
                costs associated with the acquisition of Solvay
                Pharmaceuticals and other acquisitions, $60 million, or $0.04
                per share, for specific health care reform impact on deferred
                tax assets, and $58 million, or $0.03 per share, for cost
                reduction initiatives and other.

    NOTE: See attached questions and answers section for further explanation
    of Consolidated Statement of Earnings line items.
    n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.

Questions & Answers

Q1)   What drove the strong sales growth?

A1)  Beginning this year, we have characterized Abbott’s
major businesses into three categories, based on their underlying
attributes. These include:

  • Proprietary Pharmaceuticals, including our U.S. and
    international proprietary pharmaceutical products. We recently
    globalized this business, creating one division to allow for
    streamlined commercial efforts and coordination between functions.
     
  • Durable Growth Businesses, including Nutritionals,
    Established Pharmaceuticals, Core Laboratory Diagnostics, Diabetes
    Care and Point of Care Diagnostics. These businesses are less
    dependent on significant R&D investment, have minimal patent
    risk, and operate in generally stable markets, with many products
    paid for directly by the consumer.
  • Innovation-Driven Device Businesses, including Vascular,
    Medical Optics and Molecular Diagnostics. These businesses have a
    relatively lower patent risk, and require a moderate level of
    R&D spend, resulting in new products that generate more
    significant revenue and profit contribution.

Proprietary Pharmaceuticals sales increased 13 percent,
including 4.1 percent from favorable foreign exchange, driven by
strong growth across a number of key franchises in the United
States
and internationally. HUMIRA® was a significant contributor
to growth in the quarter with U.S. sales growth of 18.5 percent and
International sales growth of 30.6 percent.

Durable Growth Businesses sales increased 7.5 percent, including
5.1 percent favorable foreign exchange, driven by Established
Pharmaceuticals and steady sales growth in Core Laboratory
Diagnostics, Diabetes Care and Point of Care Diagnostics
businesses. Established Pharmaceuticals sales, which include sales
of our branded generics pharmaceuticals outside of the United
States
, increased 10.3 percent, including the contribution from the
Piramal Healthcare Solutions acquisition. Worldwide Nutritional
products sales growth was 5.4 percent, with 13.7 percent growth in
International Nutritionals. Nutritional sales in the United States
during the quarter were negatively impacted by the infant nutrition
recall that was announced in September 2010, as previously
forecasted.

Innovation-Driven Device Business sales increased 3.1 percent,
including 5 percent favorable foreign exchange, driven by
double-digit growth in Molecular Diagnostics, 10.4 percent growth
in International Vascular and 7.5 percent growth in Medical
Optics.

Q2)  What were emerging markets
sales?

A2)  Emerging market sales within each division were as
follows (dollars in millions):


                                 2Q11 Emerging

                                Markets Sales*
                                Reported   %

                                 Sales   Growth
    Established Pharmaceuticals   $776    24.6
    Nutritionals                  $629    15.6
    Proprietary Pharmaceuticals   $595    40.8
    Core Laboratory Diagnostics   $301    9.3
    Vascular                      $145    25.4
    Other                         $147    18.5
    Total                        $2,593   23.2
    * Emerging markets sales include revenues from all countries and regions
    excluding the developed world: United States, Canada, Western Europe,
    Japan and Australia.

Abbott total company emerging markets sales grew 23.2 percent in
the quarter, reflecting strong growth across all divisions,
underscoring the importance of these markets to Abbott’s growth
profile. In our Established Pharmaceuticals business, we saw strong
performance in Russia, India and China. In Nutritionals, we saw
particularly strong growth in Asia and Latin America, where we are
expanding our presence and gaining share with the introduction of
new products.

In our Diagnostics business, we continue to perform well in
China, where we are placing new ARCHITECT® systems and continuing
to penetrate the market. And, in our Vascular business, we saw
strong growth across all key emerging markets, driven by
double-digit procedure volumes in many of these markets, as well as
Abbott market share gains.  

Q3)  What was the gross margin ratio in the
quarter?

A3)  The gross margin ratio before and after specified
items is shown below (dollars in millions):


                                                            2Q11
                                                   Cost of         Gross

                                                   Products Gross  Margin

                                                     Sold   Margin   %
    As reported (GAAP)                              $3,870  $5,746 59.8%
    Adjusted for specified item:
    Restructuring/integration (acquisitions/cost
    reductions)                                     ($43)    $43    0.4%
    As adjusted                                     $3,827  $5,789 60.2%

The adjusted gross margin ratio of 60.2 percent in the second
quarter was above our previous outlook for the quarter, driven by
favorable product mix.

Q4)  What drove SG&A and
R&D investment?

A4)  Both SG&A and R&D investment reflects Abbott’s
continued investment in programs to drive future growth. R&D
expense reflects continued investment in Abbott’s broad-based
pipeline, including programs in vascular devices, immunology,
neuroscience, oncology and HCV.

Q5)  What was the tax rate?

A5)  The ongoing tax rate this quarter was 15.2 percent, in
line with Abbott’s previous forecast, and reconciled below (dollars
in millions):


                                         2Q11
                               Pre-Tax   Taxes on   Tax
                               Income    Earnings   Rate
    As reported                  $1,675   ($268)    n/m
    Specified items                $410   ($585)    n/m
    Excluding specified items    $2,085    $317    15.2%

    n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.

Reported taxes on earnings in the quarter includes a favorable
adjustment to tax expense of $519 million, or $0.33 per share, as a
result of the resolution of various prior years’ international and
U.S. tax positions. This favorable item is classified as a
specified item and excluded from ongoing results.

Q6)  How did specified items affect reported
results?

A6)  Specified items impacted second-quarter results as
follows:


                                                            2Q11
    (dollars in millions, except earnings-per-share)    Earnings
                                                        Pre-  After-

                                                        tax    tax     EPS
    As reported (GAAP)                                $1,675 $1,943  $1.23
    Adjusted for specified items:
    Restructuring/integration (acquisitions/cost
    reductions)                                         $112    $95  $0.06
    Resolution of tax positions                         ---   ($519)($0.33)
    Acquired in-process research and development        $173   $173  $0.11
    Intangible asset impairment                         $125    $76  $0.05
    As adjusted                                       $2,085 $1,768  $1.12

Restructuring/integration (acquisitions/cost reductions) is
primarily associated with restructuring and integration costs for
the Solvay Pharmaceuticals acquisition. This item also includes
previously announced cost reduction initiatives to improve
efficiencies in the vascular and core laboratory diagnostic
businesses. Acquired in-process research and development is related
to an agreement with Biotest on the development of BT-061 for RA,
psoriasis and other immune-related diseases, as well as an
agreement with Reata to develop and commercialize bardoxolone
methyl outside the U.S., excluding certain Asian markets.
Intangible asset impairment is related to the write down of an
acquired research and development intangible asset in a non-segment
business.

2011 Taxes on earnings includes a favorable adjustment to tax
expense of $519 million, or $0.33 per share, as a result of the
resolution of various prior years’ international and U.S. tax
positions. The impact of the remaining specified items by
Consolidated Statement of Earnings line item is as follows (dollars
in millions):


                                              2Q11
                              Cost of                                Other

                              Products            Acquired         (Income)/

                                Sold      R&D      IPR&D    SG&A    Expense
    As reported (GAAP)         $3,870    $1,038     $173   $2,762    ($6)
    Adjusted for specified
    items:
    Restructuring/integration

    (acquisitions/cost
    reductions)                 ($43)     ($17)       --    ($49)    ($3)
    Acquired in-process
    research and development     --        --      ($173)    --       --
    Intangible asset
    impairment                   --      ($125)      --      --       --
    As adjusted                $3,827     $896       --    $2,713    ($9)

Q7)   What are the key areas of focus in Abbott’s
broad-based pipeline?

A7)  We continue to advance our broad-based pipeline. In
the first half of 2011, we launched several new products or
indications, including Lupron 6-Month Depot, Androgel 1.62%, the
Creon infant-specific dosage, XIENCE nano, TREK® Coronary Balloon
System and the FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring System.
We advanced elotuzumab and bardoxolone into Phase 3 development and
submitted XIENCE PRIME™, HUMIRA ulcerative colitis (UC) and our ALK
gene molecular diagnostics test for regulatory review. Following
are highlights from breakthrough research across our
pharmaceuticals, medical products and nutritionals pipelines:

  • Hepatitis C
    • Abbott’s antiviral program is focused on developing treatments
      for hepatitis C (HCV), a disease that affects more than 180 million
      people worldwide, with approximately 3 to 4 million people newly
      infected each year. Abbott’s broad-based HCV programs include its
      partnership with Enanta Pharmaceuticals to discover protease
      inhibitors, as well as its internal programs focused on additional
      viral targets.
    • Abbott currently has three mechanisms of action in Phase 2
      clinical trials, including protease, polymerase and NS5A
      inhibitors. Abbott is well positioned to explore combinations of
      these compounds, both with and without the current standard of
      care, a strategy that has the potential to markedly transform
      current treatment practices by shortening therapy duration,
      improving tolerability and increasing cure rates.
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Bardoxolone, an investigational treatment for chronic kidney
      disease (CKD), is a first-in-class anti-inflammatory that activates
      Nrf2, a pathway involved in the progression of CKD.  A Phase
      2b study was recently completed, and a global Phase 3 trial was
      recently initiated. Abbott’s agreement with Reata Pharmaceuticals
      includes international rights to bardoxolone, excluding certain
      Asian markets.
  • Women’s Health
    • Elagolix, a novel, first-in-class oral gonadotropin-releasing
      hormone (GnRH) is in development for the treatment of
      endometriosis-related pain and fibroids. A Phase 2 study in
      endometriosis was recently completed. Abbott is working in
      partnership with Neurocrine to finalize the Phase 3 program in
      endometriosis and a Phase 2 study in uterine fibroids.
  • Neuroscience / Pain
    • Abbott is conducting innovative research in neuroscience, where
      it has developed compounds that target receptors in the brain that
      help regulate mood, memory and other neurological functions. Abbott
      has more than a dozen new molecular entities in clinical trials for
      conditions such as schizophrenia, pain, Alzheimer’s disease,
      Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS).
    • Abbott’s neuroscience pipeline includes a novel,
      next-generation antibody, daclizumab, which entered Phase 3
      development in 2010 for MS. We expect to present data from the
      Phase 2 SELECT trial later this year.
    • Abbott is pursuing compounds that could provide relief across a
      broad spectrum of pain states, such as chronic back pain,
      postoperative pain and cancer pain.
  • Oncology
    • Abbott’s oncology pipeline includes therapies that represent
      promising, unique scientific approaches to treating cancer. Abbott
      is focused on the development of targeted treatments that inhibit
      tumor growth and improve response to common cancer therapies.
      Abbott currently has 11 new molecular entities in human trials for
      cancer.
    • The oncology pipeline includes: ABT-869, a multi-targeted
      kinase inhibitor; ABT-263, a Bcl-2 family protein antagonist; and
      ABT-888, a PARP-inhibitor. Each is being studied in a variety of
      cancers. Additionally, Abbott is evaluating a number of other
      promising mechanisms, including work on EFGR, CD37, aurora kinase
      and cMET, among others.
    • The acquisition of Facet Biotech brought several oncology
      collaborations, including elotuzumab, currently in Phase 3
      development for multiple myeloma.
  • Immunology
    • Abbott’s scientific experience with the anti-TNF biologic
      HUMIRA serves as a strong foundation for its continuing research in
      immunology. Abbott is developing a number of additional indications
      for HUMIRA and is working to advance its early discovery programs,
      including oral DMARD therapies, and other potential biologic
      targets. We recently submitted U.S. and European regulatory
      applications for HUMIRA as a treatment for UC.
    • Our agreement with Biotest brings Abbott rights to develop and
      commercialize BT-061, a novel anti-CD4 biologic in Phase 2
      development for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
    • Additionally, Abbott’s proprietary DVD-Ig technology represents
      an innovative approach that can target multiple disease-causing
      antigens with a single biologic agent. This technology could lead
      to combination biologics for complex conditions such as cancer or
      rheumatoid arthritis, where multiple pathways are involved in the
      disease. We expect this program to move into Phase I clinical
      trials by year end.
  • Molecular Diagnostics
    • Abbott expects to launch more than 12 new molecular diagnostic
      products over the next few years, including several novel oncology
      and infectious disease assays. In 2011, Abbott received FDA
      approval for the Abbott RealTime PCR HCV assay for measuring
      viral load or the amount of hepatitis C virus in a patient’s blood,
      as well as CE Mark for a new test to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV),
      a virus that can lead to complications in transplant patients and
      people who are immunocompromised. Abbott has submitted an ALK gene
      rearrangement test for non-small cell lung cancer to be used in
      combination with Pfizer’s crizotinib, an oral first-in-class
      anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor.
  • Diagnostics
    • Abbott has launched a number of key assays on its ARCHITECT
      immunochemistry platform, which will significantly broaden its
      industry-leading menu. These tests include assays to assess Chagas
      disease, ovarian cancer and the first HIV combination assay
      approved for use in the United States. Abbott expects to launch
      several more products this year and is researching novel biomarkers
      focusing on important areas such as infectious disease and other
      critical therapeutic areas, as well as developing next-generation
      systems.
  • Vascular Devices
    • Abbott has one of the industry’s most robust vascular pipelines
      and expects to deliver approximately 10 new technologies over the
      next five years. Abbott is working on well-staged incremental
      advances, and truly game-changing technologies that have the
      ability to restate the market.
    • ABSORB Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS) - Abbott
      received CE Mark in Europe for the world’s first drug-eluting BVS
      for the treatment of coronary artery disease. ABSORB™ restores
      blood flow by opening a clogged vessel and providing support to the
      vessel until it dissolves, leaving patients with a treated vessel
      free of a permanent metallic implant. Abbott has the most advanced
      BVS clinical program in the industry.  
    • MitraClip - MitraClip® is a minimally invasive
      device for the treatment of select patients with mitral
      regurgitation (MR), the most common valve disease in the world.
      Significant MR affects more than 8 million people in the United
      States
      and Europe, and is four times more prevalent than aortic
      stenosis. Abbott’s MitraClip system is on the market outside the
      United States
      and is currently under FDA review.  
    • Next-generation DES - Abbott has several
      next-generation DES platforms in development. Our XIENCE nano DES
      for small vessels, which is on the market in Europe, recently
      launched in the United States. XIENCE PRIME, our next-generation
      drug-eluting stent (DES), offers improved deliverability,
      especially in long lesions. XIENCE PRIME is on the market in Europe
      with an expected U.S. launch in 2012. Our ultra thin DES is also in
      development. It’s designed to improve clinical outcomes by reducing
      vessel injury upon deployment, enabling faster healing and
      improving deliverability in complex anatomy.
    • Core Coronary products - Abbott is continuing to expand
      its position in the more than $2 billion core coronary market.
      Abbott launched its next-generation balloon dilatation catheter,
      TREK, in Europe last year and in the United States and Japan in
      early 2011, and plans to introduce additional balloon products and
      next-generation guide wires within the next few years.
    • Endovascular products - Abbott’s endovascular business
      continues to grow, led by recent launches of key products,
      including the Armada 14 balloon line, the expanded indication for
      the RX ACCULINK Carotid Stent System and R&D investments into
      growth segments of the market for peripheral artery disease and
      vessel closure.
  • Vision Care
    • Abbott expects 20 new products and technology advancements over
      the next five years, including the launch of a new contact lens
      solution that is underway in Europe and the United States. In its
      market-leading LASIK business, Abbott is expanding its proprietary
      laser platform into new vision correction applications, including
      cataract surgery. Abbott also continues to expand its premium and
      standard intraocular lenses (IOL), including Synchrony®, its
      next-generation IOL approved in Europe and other countries around
      the world. Synchrony is currently under FDA review in the United
      States
      .
  • Nutrition
    • Abbott is focused on improving six areas through nutrition:
      immunity, cognition, lean body mass, inflammation, metabolism and
      tolerance. We expect to launch a number of new products and
      formulations to consumers in 2011 and are currently conducting 30
      well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate proven clinical
      outcomes with our nutrition innovation. Abbott has introduced
      several new products, including Ensure® with Revigor™, PediaSure
      SideKicks™ and ZonePerfect Sweet & Salty nutrition bars.

Financial, John Thomas, +1-847-938-2655, or Larry Peepo, +1-847-935-6722, or Tina Ventura, +1-847-935-9390, or Media, Melissa Brotz, +1-847-935-3456, or Scott Stoffel, +1-847-936-9502, or Adelle Infante, +1-847-938-8745

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