Highlights Include Introduction of More than 40 New Assays, 12 New Systems and Expansion of 'Labs Are Vital(TM)' Initiative

SAN DIEGO, July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Expanding on its growing leadership position in the diagnostics market, Abbott today announced several new product launches and initiatives at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting, being held here from July 15-19.

"We are very pleased about the future of Abbott's diagnostic business, including our core laboratory, molecular and point of care organizations," said Rick Gonzalez, president and chief operating officer, Abbott. "Abbott is a market leader in the diagnostics segment and we have put the right strategies in place to grow these businesses. Moving forward, I know that we will approach these businesses with the same intensity and enthusiasm we bring every day to serve our customers and grow our business."

Abbott Presence At AACC

Abbott has a significant presence at the four-day meeting. Abbott Diagnostics is highlighting the strengthening of its assay offerings in the metabolic, transplant, infectious disease and cardiac disease categories by showcasing 40 assays and reagents that are new to the market or under late- stage development for release. Abbott Diagnostics also is previewing 12 new systems and solutions in its pipeline of analyzers, including the ARCHITECT(R) c4000(R), ci4100(R), c16000(R), ci16200(R) and i1000SR(R). These products, which will enable greater flexibility for clinical laboratories that have low- to high-volume needs, are expected to be introduced throughout the second half of 2007, 2008 and early 2009.

Abbott Molecular is showcasing its m2000(TM) automated instrument system and the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay, designed to detect and precisely measure levels of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) circulating in a patient's blood (viral load), including the three major groups of HIV-1 as well as non-B subtypes. The test is intended for use as a marker of disease prognosis and an aid in assessing viral response to antiretroviral treatment.

Abbott Point of Care is featuring its industry leading i-STAT(R) system, which provides trusted results and a comprehensive menu for point of care, including: critical care chemistries, coagulation tests and lactate, as well as recently introduced cardiac tests including Troponin, CK-MB and BNP.

Workshops Feature Presentations From Clinical Lab Research and Industry Leaders

Abbott is hosting five workshops at the 2007 American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting. The workshops will discuss important topics and clinical outcomes affecting physician service and patient care. The schedule of workshops includes sessions on immunochemistry systems, cardiology, clinical chemistry, infectious disease and hematology.

For more information on Abbott Diagnostics' 2007 educational workshops, visit http://www.abbottdiagnostics.com/2007AACC.

Expansion of 'Labs Are Vital(TM)' Initiative

Currently, as many as 40,000 clinical lab science jobs are unfilled because of labor shortages. "Labs Are Vital" is a multi-pronged, multi-year education and awareness initiative designed to highlight the critical role that laboratory professionals play in health care and to address the issues that labs face today. Abbott is joined in this effort by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the Association of Public Health Laboratories.

Beginning this fall, "Labs Are Vital" will introduce a new online recruiting program focused on college and high school students with an interest in the life science professions.

About AACC

AACC is an international scientific/medical society of clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists and other individuals involved with clinical chemistry and clinical laboratory science disciplines. Founded in 1948, the society has 9,500 members and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. AACC is subdivided geographically into 22 local sections.

The AACC Annual Meeting has become the "must attend" annual event for anyone involved in performing, directing, interpreting or developing clinical laboratory testing. Every year, the meeting attracts nearly 20,000 participants and nearly 700 exhibitors from more than 100 countries.

About Abbott

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) 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 65,000 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 http://www.abbott.com.

SOURCE Abbott

CONTACT: Media, Ann Fahey-Widman, +1-847-772-0475, or Julie Herlocker,
+1-847-936-6116, or Financial, Tina Ventura, +1-847-935-9390, all of Abbott
Web site: http://www.abbott.com
http://www.abbottdiagnostics.com/2007AACC
(ABT)