Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions

On September 8, 2010, Abbott acquired Piramal Healthcare Limited’s Healthcare Solutions business, a leader in the Indian branded generics market, for $2.2 billion, in cash, plus additional payments of $400 million annually in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Abbott recorded a $1.6 billion liability for the present value of the additional payments at the acquisition date. The acquisition was financed with cash. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in the recording of $2.7 billion of deductible acquired intangible assets and $1.0 billion of deductible goodwill. Acquired intangible assets consist primarily of trade names, customer relationships and associated rights and are amortized over an average of 19 years.

In February 2010, Abbott acquired Solvay’s pharmaceuticals business (Solvay Pharmaceuticals) for approximately $6.1 billion, in cash, plus additional payments of up to EUR 100 million per year if certain sales milestones are met in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Contingent consideration of approximately $290 million was recorded. The acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals provides Abbott with a large and complementary portfolio of pharmaceutical products and expands Abbott’s presence in key global emerging markets. Abbott acquired control of this business on February 15, 2010 and the financial results of the acquired operations are included in these financial statements beginning on that date. Net sales for the acquired operations for 2010 were approximately $3.1 billion. Pretax loss of the acquired operations, including acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, for 2010 was approximately $395 million. The acquisition was funded with cash and short-term investments. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition is shown in the table below

(in billions of dollars)
 
Goodwill, non-deductible
$2.2
Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible
4.1
Acquired in-process research and development, non-deductible
0.5
Acquired net tangible assets
0.7
Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition
(1.1)
Total allocation of fair value
$6.4

Acquired intangible assets consist primarily of product rights for currently marketed products and are amortized over 2 to 14 years (average of 11 years). Acquired in-process research and development projects are accounted for as indefinite lived intangible assets until regulatory approval or discontinuation. The net tangible assets acquired consist primarily of trade accounts receivable of approximately $675 million, inventory of approximately $390 million, property and equipment of approximately $725 million, net of assumed liabilities, primarily trade accounts payable, accrued compensation and other liabilities.

Had the acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals taken place on January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2009, unaudited pro forma net sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share for 2010 and 2009 would have been $35.8 billion and $34.2 billion, $4.6 billion and $5.2 billion and $2.96 and $3.36, respectively. The pro forma information includes adjustments for amortization of intangible assets and fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventory as well as acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the transaction been effected on the assumed date.

In March 2010, Abbott acquired STARLIMS Technologies for approximately $100 million, in cash, net of cash held by STARLIMS, providing Abbott with leading products and expertise to build its position in laboratory informatics. A substantial portion of the fair value of the acquisition has been allocated to goodwill and amortizable intangible assets.

In April 2010, Abbott acquired the outstanding shares of Facet Biotech Corporation for approximately $430 million, in cash, net of cash held by Facet. The acquisition enhances Abbott’s early- and mid-stage pharmaceutical pipeline, including a biologic for multiple sclerosis and compounds that complement Abbott’s oncology program. A substantial portion of the fair value of the acquisition has been allocated to acquired in-process research and development that is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation.

In February 2009, Abbott acquired the outstanding shares of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) for approximately $1.4 billion, in cash, net of cash held by AMO. Prior to the acquisition, Abbott held a small investment in AMO. Abbott acquired AMO to take advantage of increasing demand for vision care technologies due to population growth and demographic shifts and AMO’s premier position in its field. Abbott acquired control of this business on February 25, 2009 and the financial results of the acquired operations are included in these financial statements beginning on that date. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible goodwill of approximately $1.7 billion, non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $900 million and net tangible assets of approximately $400 million. In addition, Abbott assumed $1.5 billion of debt. Acquired intangible assets consist of established customer relationships, developed technology and trade names and are amortized over 2 to 30 years (average of 15 years). In addition, subsequent to the acquisition, Abbott repaid substantially all of the acquired debt of AMO.

In October 2009, Abbott acquired 100 percent of Visiogen, Inc. for $400 million, in cash, providing Abbott with a next-generation accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) technology to address presbyopia for cataract patients. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of approximately $200 million which is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $24 million and goodwill of approximately $200 million.

In October 2009, Abbott acquired Evalve, Inc. for $320 million, in cash, plus an additional payment of $90 million to be made upon completion of certain regulatory milestones. Abbott acquired Evalve to obtain a presence in the growing area of non-surgical treatment for structural heart disease. Including a previous investment in Evalve, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Evalve. In connection with the acquisition, the carrying amount of this investment was revalued to fair value resulting in recording $28 million of income, which is reported as Other (income) expense, net. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $140 million, non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of approximately $220 million which is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, goodwill of approximately $100 million and deferred income taxes of approximately $110 million. Acquired intangible assets consist of developed technology and are being amortized over 11 years.

In January 2009, Abbott acquired Ibis Biosciences, Inc. (Ibis) for $175 million, in cash, to expand Abbott’s position in molecular diagnostics for infectious disease. Including a $40 million investment in Ibis in 2008, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Ibis. A substantial portion of the fair value of the acquisition has been allocated to goodwill and amortizable intangible assets, and acquired in-process research and development which is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation. The investment in Ibis in 2008 resulted in a charge to acquired in-process research and development. In connection with the acquisition, the carrying amount of this investment was revalued to fair value resulting in recording $33 million of income, which is reported as Other (income) expense, net.

Except for the acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, had the above acquisitions taken place on January 1 of the previous year, consolidated net sales and income would not have been significantly different from reported amounts.

In 2011, Abbott entered into a collaboration agreement for the joint development and commercialization of second-generation oral antioxidant inflammation modulators resulting in a charge to acquired in-process research and development of $400 million. In 2010, Abbott entered into an agreement to acquire licensing rights outside the U.S., excluding certain Asian markets, to a product in development for the treatment of chronic kidney disease resulting in a charge to acquired in-process research and development of $238 million. In 2011, certain milestones were achieved and charges to acquired in-process research and development of $188 million were recorded. Additional payments of approximately $200 million could be required for the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones. In addition, equity interests of approximately $62 million each were acquired in 2011 and 2010. In 2011, Abbott entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis resulting in a charge to acquired in-process research and development of $85 million. Additional payments totaling up to $395 million could be required for the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones under the agreement. In 2010, Abbott also entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize a product for the treatment of endometriosis resulting in a charge to acquired in-process research and development of $75 million. Additional payments of approximately $500 million could be required for the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones under this agreement. In 2009, Abbott acquired the global rights to a novel biologic for the treatment of chronic pain for $170 million resulting in a charge to acquired in-process research and development.

Goodwill

At December 31, 2011, goodwill recorded as a result of business combinations totaled $15.7 billion. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or when an event that could result in an impairment occurs. The results of the last impairment test indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value except for the Medical Optics unit. While the fair value of the Medical Optics business exceeds its carrying value, extended economic pressure on government-reimbursed cataract procedures in Europe and on the global LASIK surgery business as well as longer regulatory approval timelines for products currently under development could result in a valuation in the future where the fair value of the Medical Optics unit has declined below its carrying value, thereby triggering the requirement to estimate the implied fair value of the goodwill and measure for impairment.

Financial Condition

Cash Flow

Net cash from operating activities amounted to $9.0 billion, $8.7 billion and $7.3 billion in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Trade accounts payable and other liabilities in Net cash from operating activities in 2011 includes the non-cash impact of a litigation reserve of $1.5 billion and Income taxes payable includes $580 million of tax benefits related to the favorable resolution of various tax positions pertaining to prior years. While substantially all of Abbott’s cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is considered reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries, Abbott does not expect such reinvestment to affect its liquidity and capital resources. If these funds were needed for operations in the U.S., Abbott would be required to accrue and pay U.S. income taxes to repatriate these funds. Abbott believes that it has sufficient sources of liquidity to support its assumption that the disclosed amount of undistributed earnings at December 31, 2011 can be considered to be reinvested indefinitely. Abbott funded $394 million in 2011, $525 million in 2010 and $862 million in 2009 to defined pension plans. Abbott expects pension funding for its main domestic pension plan of $200 million annually. Abbott expects annual cash flow from operating activities to continue to exceed Abbott’s capital expenditures and cash dividends.

For 2010, the reductions in cash and cash equivalents due to the effect of exchange rate changes was primarily driven by the impact of changes in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to the euro on non-dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents. While future fluctuations in the strength of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies could have a substantial effect on the dollar value of Abbott’s cash and cash equivalents, such fluctuations are not expected to materially impact Abbott’s liquidity.

As discussed above, the United States Department of Justice, through the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, is investigating Abbott’s sales and marketing activities for Depakote. Abbott recorded a non-cash charge of $1.5 billion in 2011 related to this investigation. However, the discussions to resolve potential civil and criminal claims related to this matter are ongoing, and until concluded, there can be no certainty about definitive resolution. The ultimate resolution of this matter in any reporting period is expected to have a material impact on Abbott’s cash flows for that year.

Debt and Capital

At December 31, 2011, Abbott’s long-term debt rating was AA by Standard & Poor’s Corporation and A1 by Moody’s Investors Service. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit of $6.7 billion that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements of which a $3.0 billion facility expires in October 2012 and a $3.7 billion facility expires in 2013. Related compensating balances, which are subject to withdrawal by Abbott at its option, and commitment fees are not material.

In October 2008, the board of directors authorized the purchase of up to $5 billion of Abbott’s common shares from time to time. Under this authorization, 14.8 million and 14.5 million shares were purchased in 2010 and 2009 at a cost of approximately $800 million in both years. No shares were purchased under this authorization in 2011. Abbott plans to purchase shares from time to time in 2012.

In 2011, Abbott repaid $2 billion of long-term notes using primarily short-term borrowings. Under a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2009, Abbott issued $3.0 billion of long-term debt in the second quarter of 2010 that matures in 2015, 2020 and 2040 with interest rates of 2.7 percent, 4.125 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively. Proceeds from this debt were used to pay down short-term borrowings. Abbott is in the process of evaluating the impact of the proposed separation on its future capitalization structure and liquidity. In 2012, Abbott expects to tender for a portion of its outstanding long-term debt with the tender funded by debt issued by the new pharmaceutical company. Under the February 2009 registration statement, Abbott issued $3.0 billion of long-term debt in the first quarter of 2009 that matures in 2019 and 2039 with interest rates of 5.125 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively. Proceeds from this debt were used to fund the acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. and to repay debt of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. In addition, Abbott repaid $1 billion of long-term notes that were due in 2009 using primarily short-term borrowings.

The judgment entered in 2009 by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Abbott in its litigation with New York University and Centocor, Inc. required Abbott to secure the judgment in the event that its appeal to the Federal Circuit court was unsuccessful in overturning the district court’s decision. In the first quarter of 2010, Abbott deposited $1.87 billion with an escrow agent and considered these assets to be restricted. On February 23, 2011, the Federal Circuit reversed the district court’s final judgment and found Centocor’s patent invalid. On April 25, 2011, Centocor petitioned the Federal Circuit to rehear and reconsider the decision. In June 2011 the Federal Circuit denied Centocor’s petition and the restrictions on the funds were lifted.

Working Capital

Working capital was $8.3 billion at December 31, 2011, $5.1 billion at December 31, 2010 and $10.3 billion at December 31, 2009. The increase in working capital in 2011 was due primarily to higher cash generated from operating activities and lower debt levels. The decrease in working capital in 2010 was due primarily to cash and investments used to acquire Solvay’s pharmaceuticals business and Piramal Healthcare Limited’s Healthcare Solutions business.

A significant amount of Abbott’s trade receivables in Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain are with governmental health systems. Given the economic conditions and sovereign debt issues in these countries, the time it takes to collect outstanding receivables increased in 2011. Outstanding net governmental receivables in these four countries totaled $1.73 billion, $1.50 billion, and $1.59 billion at December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. The percentage of governmental receivables in these four countries over a year past due was 27 percent, 22 percent, and 23 percent at December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. With the exception of Greece, Abbott historically has collected almost all of the outstanding receivables in these countries. Abbott continues to monitor the credit worthiness of customers located in these and other geographic areas and establishes an allowance against a trade receivable when it is probable that the balance will not be collected. If government funding were to become unavailable in these countries or if significant adverse changes in their reimbursement practices were to occur, Abbott may not be able to collect the entire balance.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures of $1.5 billion in 2011, $1.0 billion in 2010 and $1.1 billion in 2009 were principally for upgrading and expanding manufacturing, research and development, investments in information technology and administrative support facilities in all segments, and for laboratory instruments placed with customers.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes Abbott’s estimated contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011:

(dollars in millions)
Payment Due By Period
 
Total
2012
2013-2014
2015-2016
2017 and Thereafter
Long-term debt, including current maturities and future interest payments
$20,070
$1,882
$1,985
$3,757
$12,446
Operating lease obligations
509
112
161
103
133
Capitalized auto lease obligations
85
28
57
Purchase commitments (a)
3,112
3,004
80
2
26
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the consolidated balance sheet—
         
Benefit plan obligations
3,753
828
924
2,001
Other
4,421
3,851
209
361
Total (b)
$31,950
$5,026
$6,962
$4,995
$14,967
(a) Purchase commitments are for purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational and capital expenditure requirements.
(b) Unrecognized tax benefits totaling $1.9 billion are excluded from the table above as Abbott is unable to reasonably estimate the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities on such items.

Contingent Obligations

Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. In addition, Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events.

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