Abbott Completes Acquisition of Evalve, Inc.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT)
announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Evalve, Inc., the
global leader in the development of devices for minimally invasive repair of
mitral valves.

The acquisition provides Abbott with a leading presence in the growing area of
non-surgical treatment for structural heart disease. Evalve's minimally
invasive catheter-based MitraClip® system is the first commercially available
treatment option approved in Europe for non-surgical mitral valve repair for
patients suffering from the effects of mitral regurgitation - a condition that
prevents the heart's mitral valve from closing completely. The MitraClip
system is an investigational device in the United States and is currently in
clinical trials.

"Evalve's innovative valve repair technology gives us the potential to provide
new treatment options for millions of patients with mitral regurgitation
around the world," said Robert Hance, senior vice president, vascular, Abbott.
"This acquisition complements Abbott's industry-leading pipeline and strong
vascular devices portfolio, which currently holds leadership positions in drug
eluting and bare metal stent segments."

Abbott acquired the remaining outstanding equity of Evalve that it did not
already own for an upfront payment of $320 million, plus a $90 million payment
if certain regulatory milestones are met.

The acquisition of Evalve is one of six strategic acquisitions initiated by
Abbott in the past 12 months to bolster long-term growth across its broad base
of businesses through diversification of product portfolios, addition of new
technology and expansion into key global emerging markets.

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
more than 72,000 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.

SOURCE Abbott

Media, Jonathon Hamilton, +1-408-845-3491, or Financial, John Thomas,
+1-847-938-2655, or Tina Ventura, +1-847-935-9390, all of Abbott