A healthcare company making everything from infant formula (Similac) and adult nutrition shakes (Ensure) to the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitor and heart devices like the MitraClip. It was founded in 1888 by Chicago physician Dr. Wallace C. Abbott, who made tiny, precisely dosed pills from plant alkaloids in the back of his drugstore; the company was renamed Abbott Laboratories in 1915. Similac's name comes from "similar to lactation," its original purpose as a breast-milk substitute.
Abbott settles preterm infant formula NEC litigation for ~$670M
On August 20, 2026, Abbott entered into agreements to resolve the Gill case and NEC claims for approximately 2,000 additional infants for an aggregate amount of approximately $670 million.
Show detailsHide details
The agreements resolve the Gill lawsuit, where a July 2024 Missouri jury awarded $495 million in damages, which was affirmed on appeal in May 2026.
Abbott stated the agreements are a compromise of disputed claims and not an admission of liability, and that it remains confident in the safety of its preterm infant formulas.
Following the settlement, approximately 1,700 lawsuits remain pending in federal and state courts involving claims on behalf of approximately 12,700 individual infants.
The settlement was disclosed under Items 7.01 and 8.01 of Form 8-K, with the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure · 8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Abbott names Kevin Conroy to Board of Directors on April 24, 2026.
Shareholders approved the 2026 Incentive Stock Program, replacing the 2017 program, with 95.82% votes cast in favor.
Show detailsHide details
Kevin Conroy was appointed to Abbott Laboratories' Board of Directors on April 24, 2026.
The Board of Directors was expanded from twelve to thirteen persons, effective April 24, 2026.
All twelve director nominees were elected at the Annual Meeting on April 24, 2026.
Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young LLP as auditors and approved executive compensation in advisory votes.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements · 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year · 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Court preliminarily approves Abbott derivative settlement over infant formula claims
On April 10, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois preliminarily approved a proposed settlement in the consolidated shareholder derivative litigation In re Abbott Laboratories Infant Formula Shareholder Derivative Litigation.
Show detailsHide details
The derivative action alleged that certain current and former Abbott directors and officers breached fiduciary duties and violated securities laws regarding oversight of infant formula manufacturing and sales.
The settlement requires Abbott to maintain or adopt specified corporate governance policies and practices, with Abbott committing necessary funds to implement them.
Lead Plaintiffs' Counsel may seek attorneys' fees and expenses of up to $15.85 million, including service awards of up to $15,000 each for the Lead Plaintiffs, subject to court approval.
A final settlement hearing is scheduled for June 4, 2026, before Judge Sunil R. Harjani; shareholder objections must be received by May 18, 2026.
8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Abbott completes acquisition of Exact Sciences for $105.00 per share in cash
Each share of Exact Sciences common stock was converted into the right to receive $105.00 in cash, without interest, less applicable withholding taxes.
Show detailsHide details
On March 23, 2026, Abbott Laboratories completed its acquisition of Exact Sciences Corporation, with Exact Sciences becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott.
The merger was effected through Badger Merger Sub I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott, which merged with and into Exact Sciences.
The last day of trading of Exact Sciences shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market was March 20, 2026.
The acquisition establishes Abbott as a leader in the U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics segments, which Abbott estimates at $60 billion.
8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Abbott completes $20B senior notes offering to fund Exact Sciences acquisition
On March 9, 2026, Abbott Laboratories completed a public offering of $20 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes across eight tranches with maturities from 2029 to 2066.
Show detailsHide details
The notes include a floating rate tranche due 2029 and fixed-rate tranches with coupons ranging from 3.700% to 5.600%.
Net proceeds will fund the consideration for Abbott's acquisition of Exact Sciences, repay Exact Sciences debt, pay related fees, and for general corporate purposes.
If the Exact Sciences acquisition is not completed by a specified end date or Abbott abandons it, Abbott must redeem the notes at 101% of principal plus accrued interest.
The notes were sold under a pricing agreement dated February 23, 2026, with underwriters including Morgan Stanley, Barclays, BofA Securities, and J.P. Morgan.
1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement · 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Abbott issues $20B in senior notes to fund Exact Sciences acquisition
On February 23, 2026, Abbott entered into a pricing agreement with underwriters led by Morgan Stanley, Barclays, BofA Securities, and J.P. Morgan to sell $20 billion of senior notes.
Show detailsHide details
The offering includes floating rate notes due 2029 and fixed-rate notes with maturities from 2029 to 2066, with coupons ranging from 3.700% to 5.600%.
Closing of the note sale is expected on March 9, 2026, subject to customary conditions.
Net proceeds will fund the consideration for Abbott's acquisition of Exact Sciences, repay Exact Sciences debt, pay related fees, and for general corporate purposes.
The notes are offered under a shelf registration statement and a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on February 25, 2026.
1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits