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

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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

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

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

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 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, 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.

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):

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):

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):

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:

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):

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.

SOURCE Abbott

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED