Abbott to Present New Data on Its Oncology Pipeline at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Several data presentations from Abbott’s portfolio of investigational cancer treatments will be presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting taking place in Orlando.

Abbott will present Phase III data regarding Xinlay(TM) (atrasentan) at ASCO. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing Abbott’s New Drug Application (NDA) for Xinlay submitted on Dec. 14, 2004, for the treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer, an advanced stage of the disease that no longer responds to hormone treatment and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bone. The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee will review Xinlay at its September 2005 meeting.

Abbott also will present Phase II results of its investigational angiogenesis inhibitor, ABT-510 in soft tissue sarcoma, and an oral investigational chemotherapy agent, ABT-751, in lung and renal cell (kidney) carcinomas and Phase I results in neuroblastoma. Data to be presented on these investigational agents includes:

Xinlay

— “Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials of Atrasentan 10 mg in Metastatic

Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer.” [Poster Discussion, Poster 19,

Abstract #4563: Sunday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Level 2, Hall

F3, 230A]

— “Quality of Life as a Potential Predictor For Morbidity and Mortality

in Patients with Metastatic Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer.”

[Poster Session, Poster N13, Abstract #8095: Sunday, May 15, 2:00 p.m.

- 6:00 p.m., Level 2, Hall C]

ABT-510

— “A Randomized Phase II Study of the Thrombospondin-Mimetic Peptide ABT-

510 in Patients with Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma.” [Oral

Presentation, Abstract #9013: Saturday, May 14, 1:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.,

Level 4, Valencia Room 415B]

ABT-751

— “Preliminary Results of a Phase II Study of ABT-751 in Subjects with

Taxane-Refractory Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma.” [Poster Session,

Poster L15, Abstract#7137: Tuesday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.,

Level 2, Hall C]

— “Preliminary Phase II Results of ABT-751 in Subjects with Advanced

Renal Cell Carcinoma.” [Poster Session, Poster D17, Abstract#4603:

Saturday, May 14, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Level 2, Hall C]

— “Phase I Trial of Oral ABT-751 in Pediatric Patients: Preliminary

Evidence of Activity in Neuroblastoma (NBL).” [Poster Session, Poster

8, Abstract #8527: Monday, May 16, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Level 2,

Hall F3]

About Xinlay(TM)

Xinlay is an investigational, oral, once-daily, non-hormonal, non- chemotherapy, agent that belongs to a class of compounds known as selective endothelin-A receptor antagonists (SERA(TM)). SERAs antagonize the effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1), one of the proteins thought to be involved in the stimulation of the spread of cancer.

Trials are ongoing in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer that has not spread (non-metastatic), as well as in hormone-naive men (prostate cancer patients who have not received hormone therapy) with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) following prostate cancer surgery. Additionally, Xinlay is being evaluated in combination trials with approved treatments for advanced prostate cancer. Abbott continues to explore Xinlay in other cancers, including kidney, ovarian, brain and non-small cell lung cancers.

About ABT-510

ABT-510 is an investigational angiogenesis inhibitor, that belongs to a class of drugs that works by cutting off the blood supply that feeds tumors. Mimicking the behavior of a natural anti-angiogenic protein, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), ABT-510 is being evaluated to determine its potential to block multiple pro-angiogenic growth factors including VEGF, bFGF and IL-8. ABT-510 currently is being studied in Phase II clinical trials in various cancers including sarcoma, lymphoma, and kidney cancer.

ABT-510 was granted an Orphan Drug designation by the FDA for soft tissue sarcoma, a malignant tumor that can develop in tissues that connect, support or surround other structures and organs of the body. These tissues include muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, nerves and tissues around joints. In sarcomas that have spread, the five-year survival rate is between 10 and 15 percent, highlighting the compelling need to find therapies that will help prolong survival in these patients.

About ABT-751

An investigational oral, once-daily antimitotic (a class of drugs that inhibit cell division), ABT-751 is currently being studied in Phase II clinical trials for use in lung, colon, breast and kidney cancers. A Phase II trial is planned for refractory pediatric neuroblastoma. ABT-751 was granted Orphan drug designation by the FDA for pediatric neuroblastoma. ABT-751 is not a multi-drug resistant (MDR) substrate. MDR substrate compounds often develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs, and ABT-751 is active pre-clinically in chemo-resistant tumors.

About Abbott

Abbott is committed to the discovery and development of innovative treatments to help patients in the fight against cancer. Abbott’s oncology research is focused on developing targeted therapies with low toxicity. The company has several different classes of compounds in various stages of clinical development. These approaches address multiple phases of cancer progression, including signal transduction, angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and programmed cell death (apoptosis).

Abbott currently markets tests for detection of cancer, including a PSA test. Abbott’s innovative genomic tests include Vysis(R) UroVysion(TM), for monitoring the recurrence of bladder cancer, and PathVysion(R), for detecting the HER-2 gene, which predicts potential treatment benefit in women with breast cancer. Abbott also markets nutritional products designed to meet the unique dietary needs of cancer patients.

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 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott’s news release and other information are available on the company’s Web site at http://www.abbott.com/ . For further information about atrasentan (Xinlay(TM)), call (800) 633-9110.

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 the purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott’s operations are discussed in Exhibit 99.1 of our Quarterly Report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, and are incorporated by reference. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.

Abbott

CONTACT: Media, Elly Wallin, +1-847-935-8975, or Laureen Cassidy,+1-847-938-7743, or Financial Community, John Thomas, +1-847-938-2655, orLarry Peepo, +1-847-935-6722, all of Abbott

Web site: http://www.abbott.com/

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