Abbott Receives CE Mark for Company's Next-Generation XIENCE PRIME(TM) Drug Eluting Stent, Advancing Leadership Position

Abbott Park, Illinois (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Broad Size Matrix of XIENCE PRIME to be Launched in Europe in
the Third Quarter

Abbott announced today that it has received CE Mark (Conformite
Europeenne) for its next-generation XIENCE PRIME(TM) Everolimus
Eluting Coronary Stent System for the treatment of coronary artery
disease. The company plans to launch XIENCE PRIME in a broad size
matrix with lengths up to 38 mm in Europe in the third quarter.

"XIENCE PRIME leverages and will build upon the outstanding body
of clinical evidence from the SPIRIT family of clinical trials. The
modified design features of the stent and delivery system are
intended to make it easier for physicians to deliver the stent to the
treatment area," said Robert Hance, senior vice president, vascular,
Abbott. "As part of Abbott's leadership in drug eluting stents, we
are committed to advancing treatment options and look forward to
making the innovative XIENCE PRIME stent available to physicians and
patients in Europe in the upcoming months."

XIENCE PRIME utilizes the same well-studied drug and proven
biocompatible polymer as Abbott's market-leading XIENCE V(R)
Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System. In addition, it offers a
novel stent design and a modified delivery system designed for
greater flexibility and improved deliverability. XIENCE PRIME uses
cobalt chromium technology, which allows for very thin struts while
maintaining strength to support the vessel as well as excellent
visibility under X-ray during the stent implantation procedure.
XIENCE PRIME is based upon the proven design of the MULTI-LINK(R)
family of stents, which is the most widely used stent platform in the
world - more than 2 million of Abbott's cobalt chromium stents have
been implanted worldwide. Upon launch in Europe, XIENCE PRIME will be
available in an expanded size matrix, including XIENCE PRIME SV for
small vessels and XIENCE PRIME LL for long lesions.

Abbott's robust vascular research program includes clinical
trials in coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. Key
products in the vascular pipeline include: the MULTI-LINK 8(TM)
Coronary Stent System, a next-generation frontline balloon dilatation
catheter, a fully bioabsorbable drug eluting coronary device, and the
Omnilink Elite(TM) Peripheral Stent System.

The MULTI-LINK 8 Coronary Stent System, the next-generation
frontline balloon dilatation catheter, the fully bioabsorbable drug
eluting device and the Omnilink Elite Peripheral Stent System are in
development and are not available for sale.

XIENCE PRIME currently is an investigational device in the United
States and not available for sale.

About XIENCE V

Abbott's market-leading XIENCE V drug eluting stent is marketed
in the United States, Europe and other international markets. XIENCE
V is an investigational device in Japan and is currently under review
by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency.

Everolimus, developed by Novartis Pharma AG, is a proliferation
signal inhibitor, or mTOR inhibitor, licensed to Abbott by Novartis
for use on its drug eluting stents. Everolimus has been shown to
inhibit in-stent neointimal growth in the coronary vessels following
stent implantation, due to its anti-proliferative properties.

Additional information about XIENCE V, including important safety
and effectiveness information, is available online at
www.xiencev.com.

About Abbott Vascular

Abbott Vascular, a division of Abbott, is one of the world's
leading vascular care businesses. Abbott Vascular is uniquely focused
on advancing the treatment of vascular disease and improving patient
care by combining the latest medical device innovations with
world-class pharmaceuticals, investing in research and development,
and advancing medicine through training and education. Headquartered
in Northern California, Abbott Vascular offers a comprehensive
portfolio of vessel closure, endovascular and coronary products.

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.

ots Originaltext: Abbott Laboratories
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Media, Jonathon Hamilton, +1-408-845-3491, or Jennie Kim,
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Ventura, +1-847-935-9390, all of Abbott