Abbott announces opening of Asia-Pacific Nutrition R&D Center

Abbott (NYSE: ABT), the global health care company, today announced the opening of the Abbott Asia-Pacific Nutrition Research & Development Center at Singapore's Biopolis Research Park.  The center is Abbott's largest nutrition R&D facility outside of the U.S., and Singapore's first nutrition R&D site creating science-based nutritional products for infants, children and adults.  Abbott scientists at the center will develop products with new ingredients, flavors and packaging to address the most critical nutritional challenges, dietary needs and taste preferences of consumers throughout the Asia-Pacific region.  The opening was announced at a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier today.

The role of nutrition in the development of the brain, bones, immune system and metabolic function of infants and children will be key areas of research and innovation.  Nutritional research in adults will include management of diabetes, obesity and the importance of maintaining muscle mass.  The center also will design and conduct comprehensive clinical trials throughout Asia-Pacific to obtain scientific information on unmet health care needs in the region.  

"The Abbott Asia-Pacific Nutrition Research & Development Center will allow us to tap into the unique intellectual capital of Singapore and export the innovations we discover at the center to countries around the world," said Holger A. Liepmann, executive vice president, Abbott Nutrition.  "Abbott scientists in Singapore will further advance our understanding of the role of nutrition in human health, and combine that knowledge with the science of taste and consumer preference to develop products people both benefit from and enjoy."

"The establishment of the Abbott Asia-Pacific Nutrition R&D Center marks a significant milestone in the Abbott-Singapore partnership.  Singapore is proud to be Abbott Nutrition's Asia-Pacific hub for business and now for innovation," said Leo Yip, chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board.  "From this laboratory at the Biopolis, Abbott Nutrition will be able to tap on Singapore's biomedical research capabilities and access pan-Asian consumer insights to develop new generations of products customized for Asia-Pacific and drive its growth in the region."

Abbott's Commitment to Singapore and the Asia-Pacific Region

The new Abbott Asia-Pacific Nutrition R&D Center is the latest addition to Abbott's growing presence in Singapore and the region.  The center at Singapore's Biopolis Research Park is Abbott's fifth expansion in the region in less than 18 months.

• Analytical R&D Laboratory in Singapore (January 2009)
• Abbott Manufacturing Singapore (February 2009)
• Pharmaceutical R&D lab in Shanghai, China  (March 2009)
• Nutrition manufacturing in Guangzhou, China (March 2009)
• Abbott Asia-Pacific Nutrition R&D Center in Singapore (May 2010)

Abbott employs more than 12,000 people in the Asia-Pacific region.  The Abbott Asia-Pacific Nutrition R&D Center will house approximately 65 scientists in Singapore.  Up to 90 percent of the hires at the center will come from Singapore and the broader region.

Abbott continues to focus on its total research investment – more than U.S. $2.7 billion in 2009 in 10 dedicated R&D centers worldwide – to build a diverse R&D pipeline.