Abbott's New FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring System with Insulin Calculator Receives CE Mark

WIESBADEN, Germany, May 10, 2011 - Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced that it has received CE Mark
(Conformite Europeenne) for its new FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose
Monitoring System,(1,2) the first blood glucose monitoring device from Abbott
that includes a mealtime (bolus) insulin calculator for calculating suggested
insulin doses. The new FreeStyle InsuLinx System also offers several
additional user-friendly features, including a touch screen interface,
automated logbook, personalization preferences and USB connectivity for
plug-and-play reports via the new FreeStyle Auto-Assist data management
software. The FreeStyle InsuLinx System will be available in select countries
within Europe beginning in May. It is currently not available for sale in the
United States.

(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110510/CG97573)

It is estimated that approximately 55.4 million people in Europe are
living with diabetes,(3) and of those, many require insulin to manage their
condition. For people who use insulin, managing diabetes can often involve
challenging calculations to determine an appropriate mealtime insulin dose.
Individuals often have trouble with the calculations required for insulin
dose adjustment, resulting in insulin dose calculation errors.(4)

In a published study, only 41 percent of people with diabetes could
calculate an insulin dose that required adjustment for both carbohydrate
intake and blood glucose levels.(5) The FreeStyle InsuLinx System bolus
calculator feature is designed to help patients administer an accurately
calculated suggested dose of insulin that can help maintain appropriate blood
glucose levels, as recommended by a healthcare professional.

"For my patients who require insulin, the steps involved in the self-care
of their diabetes can be complicated and overwhelming," said Dr. David Kerr
DM FRCPE, Consultant Physician, Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre,
Royal Bournemouth Hospital, UK.(6) "Insulin is a powerful drug that needs to
be dosed accurately and carefully or it can lead to significant adverse
consequences. The introduction of new products that are created to make the
difficult task of insulin dose calculation easier is important for people
with diabetes and for their healthcare professionals, like me."

New Technology Designed to Help Insulin Users

The FreeStyle InsuLinx System is the newest addition to Abbott's
portfolio of glucose monitoring products and is designed for people with
diabetes who use mealtime (rapid-acting) insulin. The System offers several
features that are designed to enable insulin-using diabetes patients to more
effectively manage their condition, including:

    -- Mealtime (rapid-acting) insulin calculator for calculating a
       suggested dose
    -- Touch screen designed for ease of use
    -- Automated logbook
    -- Personalization preferences, including the ability to upload a
       personal photograph to the FreeStyle InsuLinx monitor, weekly messages
       and pre- and post-meal markers
    -- USB connectivity for plug-and-play reports
    -- FreeStyle Auto-Assist software, which is PC- and Mac-compatible,
       designed to help people with diabetes, healthcare teams and caregivers
       manage diabetes with reports, reminders and messages

The FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring System is compatible with
the FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips with ZipWik tabs,(7) which are
designed to offer easier blood application, resulting in a better blood
glucose testing experience for people living with diabetes.

"The FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring System is a significant
advance for people with diabetes who use insulin," said Heather L. Mason,
senior vice president, Abbott Diabetes Care. "The FreeStyle InsuLinx System
has the potential to help change the way insulin users manage their diabetes,
because it has been designed to translate glucose results into helpful
information that can enable patients to more effectively manage their
diabetes."

The FreeStyle InsuLinx System will be available in May to customers in
Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Individuals
with diabetes who are interested in the FreeStyle InsuLinx System should
consult with their healthcare professional. This system is not currently
available for sale in the United States or other countries.

Related Resources and Links

FreeStyle InsuLinx System Media Site: -
www.freestyleinsulinxmediakit.com (for media based in Belgium, France,
Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom only).

About Abbott Diabetes Care

Abbott Diabetes Care, based in Alameda, California, is a leader in
developing, manufacturing and marketing glucose monitoring systems designed
to help people better manage their diabetes. Additional information about
Abbott Diabetes Care may be found at www.abbottdiabetescare.com.

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 website at www.abbott.com.

(1) FreeStyle and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes
Care, Inc. in various jurisdictions.

(2) In France, the FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring System is
marketed as the FreeStyle Papillon InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring System.

(3) International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Atlas.
www.diabetesatlas.org/content/europe. Accessed May 2011.

(4) Cavanaugh, K, Ann Intern Med 148:737-746, 2008.

(5) Cavanaugh, K, Ann Intern Med 148:737-746, 2008.

(6) Dr. David Kerr is a compensated consultant for Abbott Diabetes Care.

(7) In France, the FreeStyle Papillon InsuLinx Blood Glucose Monitoring
System is compatible with FreeStyle Papillon Easy blood glucose monitoring
test strips with ZipWik tabs.

Media, Gregory Miley, +1-510-239-2761, or +1-510-502-7076, greg.miley at abbott.com, or Adrienne Turner, +1-510-749-5409, or +1-415-624-4709, adrienne.turner at abbott.com, or Financial Community, Tina Ventura, +1-847-935-9390, all of Abbott