Medical Products

Medical Products • Abbott is an innovative leader in the fast-paced, high-growth medical technology space. Our medical products are advancing disease diagnosis, diabetes management and the treatment of vascular disease.

Medical Products: building on innovation

In 2007, our medical products business introduced new products and advanced a pipeline of promising technologies in high-growth, technology-driven markets. Most notably, we submitted our next-generation drug-eluting stent, Xience V, for U.S. regulatory approval.

Vascular: expanding our presence

Abbott's leadership position encompasses three distinct vascular segments — coronary, endovascular and vessel closure. In 2007, we submitted Xience V, our drug-eluting stent, for U.S. FDA approval and expect to launch in 2008. Xience V is the first and only drug-eluting coronary stent to be submitted for U.S. FDA approval with data demonstrating superiority in reducing vessel renarrowing over the most widely used drug-eluting stent on the market today. We continue to make progress with the international launch of Xience V, as physicians have recognized its safety, world-class deliverability and unprecedented efficacy.

Drug-eluting stents are tiny metal scaffolds placed in diseased arteries to keep them open and reestablish blood flow — a treatment alternative to open-heart surgery. Xience V features Abbott's market-leading Multi-Link Vision coronary stent platform and everolimus, a drug that reduces tissue growth. Beyond Xience V, Abbott is developing additional next-generation technologies, such as a bioabsorbable drug-eluting stent, which could address clinical challenges that still exist.

Abbott's endovascular business offers a portfolio of carotid stents, embolic protection devices, balloons, wires and vessel closure devices. Carotid stenting is a less-invasive alternative to surgery for patients at risk of stroke from a partially blocked carotid artery, the major blood vessel in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. Our Xact and RX AccuLink stents are the most widely used devices to treat diseased carotid arteries in the United States.

As a pioneer in closure technologies, Abbott offers products designed to facilitate secure closure of the vascular access site following catheterizations. In 2008, we expect to launch a next-generation StarClose device, our novel clip-based technology that closes the femoral artery securely in a matter of seconds.

Diabetes Care: innovating to improve disease management

Abbott is building its presence in the large and growing blood glucose monitoring market by continuing to introduce systems that are easier to use, require smaller blood samples and provide faster results.

In 2007, Abbott launched FreeStyle Lite, a new blood glucose monitoring system that improves patient convenience by eliminating manual calibration required by most meters. In Europe, we launched FreeStyle Freedom Lite, our second meter with automated calibration. Both meters return a fast, accurate reading and require the world's smallest blood sample. We anticipate U.S. approval in 2008.

We received European regulatory approval for the FreeStyle Navigator continuous glucose monitoring system and expect U.S. approval in 2008. The FreeStyle Navigator measures glucose levels once per minute, 24 hours a day, using a sensor worn on the body that wirelessly transmits readings to a pagerlike device kept in a pocket or purse.

Currently in development is a fully integrated blood glucose monitoring system that combines a glucose meter, test strips and lancing capabilities in one device, enabling simple point-and-click testing.

Diagnostics: a leader's presence worldwide

With nearly 70,000 customers in more than 100 countries, Abbott is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics. We continue to transform the practice of medical diagnostics through innovative, automated systems that lower costs and improve patient care. The largest and fastest-growing segment of our business is outside the United States, where we're seeing rapid uptake of our systems in emerging markets and Japan.

In 2007, we launched the Architect c16000, our large-volume chemistry analyzer, and the Architect ci16200, which consolidates both immunoassay and clinical chemistry testing. Both systems will better meet the needs of our large-volume laboratory customers by processing more tests, faster. We expanded the Architect menu of assays, including an additional test for hepatitis B. We are also developing an immunoassay analyzer to serve the needs of smaller-volume labs.

Abbott is also the worldwide leader in blood screening. The Abbott Prism blood analyzer is used in more than 30 countries — nearly half of which use the system to screen 100 percent of their blood donations.

Point of Care: faster diagnosis, better care

Our i-STAT point-of-care system provides physicians with the information they need to make life-saving decisions in the intensive and acute care settings of the hospital. Our broad point-of-care portfolio features key tests for cardiac diagnosis and routine diagnostic assessments, including our i-STAT Chem8+ test, which combines eight tests from the most commonly requested chemistry panel on a single cartridge. The U.S. FDA granted our Chem8+ test expanded availability for use in doctors' offices and clinics after it was deemed simple and accurate enough for use beyond the hospital setting.

Molecular Diagnostics: advancing technology to improve patient outcomes

Molecular diagnostics — the analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins at the molecular level — is a relatively new and fast-growing market. Our tests provide physicians with critical information based on changes in patients' genes and highly accurate detection of viruses and bacteria, allowing for earlier diagnosis, selection of appropriate therapies and monitoring of disease progression.

Abbott's product portfolio includes the m2000, an automated instrument for molecular testing based on real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology. In 007, we launched the m2000 in the United States with a test for HIV. In Europe, we market the m2000 with a complete menu of infectious disease assays.

We continue to actively explore opportunities in the area of pharmacogenomics — the practice of identifying which patients are likely to benefit the most from a specific treatment option. For example, our PathVysion HER-2 assay is a DNA-based test that identifies which patients are likely to benefit from Herceptin, a targeted breast cancer therapy.

We are also researching molecular diagnostics for several types of cancer and expect to introduce new tests for melanoma and cervical cancer in Europe in 2008.

Spine: leveraging technical expertise to improve quality of life

Abbott develops innovative devices and implants for the treatment of spinal disorders, traumatic injuries and deformities. This year, we introduced the Universal Clamp spinal fixation system, a unique implant designed to treat scoliosis and other spinal conditions.

Animal Health: leveraging our expertise

Abbott is advancing veterinary medicine and bringing value to small-animal veterinarians and pet owners by adapting our strengths in human health. We market the AlphaTrak Blood Glucose Monitoring System for cats and dogs, which, based on our FreeStyle blood glucose monitoring technology, provides a fast, accurate response with just a tiny blood sample. Our surgical suite product line addresses veterinary needs in anesthesia, fluid therapy and medical devices.