SINGAPORE, February 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

SINGAPORE, February 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- Company's Largest Nutrition Manufacturing Facility Will Serve Up to 1 Million Asian Infants and Children Each Year

- Announces Agreement to Open a New Nutrition Science Research and Development Center

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) opened its largest nutrition product manufacturing facility in Singapore to meet increasing regional demand for its pediatric nutrition products, including Similac(R). The facility will serve up to 1 million Asian infants and children each year. This represents the company's growing commitment to the region, its single largest investment in Asia and its largest nutrition investment at US$300 million (S$450 million).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090225/CG75340 )

Additionally, Abbott announced an agreement to open a new nutrition science research and development center in Singapore, where its scientists will focus on clinical trials and development of nutrition products tailored to Asian dietary needs. This center of excellence complements Abbott's new pharmaceutical research and development facility, opened last month in Singapore.

For more than 80 years, Abbott has been a pioneer in nutrition science, bringing the most advanced products to generations of families and children, said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott, who dedicated the new plant today in Singapore. These new facilities in Singapore will allow us to get even closer to our customers in both proximity and in understanding the unique dietary needs and preferences of Asian consumers.

Abbott's pediatric products sold in Asia, including infant formula, follow-on formula and growing-up milk, are now manufactured in this state-of-the-art facility. This facility offers world-class levels of safety, process control and cleanliness throughout the manufacturing and distribution process.

Products made at Abbott Manufacturing Singapore will continue to contain the same quality ingredients and undergo the same testing standards as Abbott products made elsewhere - consumers will receive the same products they rely on today. Importantly, the Singapore location allows for faster shipments to retail and health care establishments across countries in the region, including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, as well as the Middle East. The plant employs approximately 300 people, 50 of whom are solely devoted to quality assurance.

Abbott currently operates 11 nutrition manufacturing facilities around the world.

Singapore is uniquely positioned to tap into Asia's growth, said Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade Industry, Singapore, who was the guest of honor at the dedication ceremony. Abbott, as a diversified healthcare company with businesses spanning pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and diagnostics, is well poised to serve Asia's diverse needs. We are delighted that Abbott has chosen Singapore to be its strategic beach-head into Asia.

Abbott's Commitment to Singapore - New Asia-Pacific Research and Development Center for Nutrition Science

Abbott Nutrition also has finalized an agreement with Singapore to open a new state-of-the-art Asia-Pacific Research and Development Center for Nutrition Science at the Biopolis, a high-tech biomedical research park. Experienced Abbott scientists at the center will lead research and clinical trials in areas such as food and sensory science, clinical nutrition science, novel ingredient evaluation and cognition science.

Housing this center in Singapore will enable Abbott scientists to tailor new ingredients, products, flavors and packages to the region's most critical nutrition challenges, and to the tastes and preferences of Asia-Pacific consumers.

Last month, Abbott opened its first pharmaceutical research and development site in Southeast Asia - also at the Biopolis in Singapore - where it will conduct stability studies, including studies on active pharmaceutical ingredients and novel formulations, to support global regulatory requirements for new pharmaceutical products. The work done at the laboratory will enable Abbott to accelerate the development of innovative investigational medicines and potentially deliver new treatments to patients faster in areas such as neuroscience and cancer.

Abbott has expanded its presence in the country over the past few years with the launch of several key products, including HUMIRA(R) and the XIENCE V(TM) drug coated stent. Singapore is also home to the regional headquarters for several Abbott businesses, including nutrition, pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.

About Abbott's Nutrition Products Manufactured in Singapore

Abbott Nutrition is a leader in providing safe, high-quality and effective nutrition products for infants, children and adults. Abbott Manufacturing Singapore will produce the company's pediatric line of products for the region including Similac(R), Gain(R), Gain Plus(R), Grow(R), Grow School(R) and PediaSure Complete(R).

About Abbott Nutrition

Abbott Nutrition develops and markets a wide range of science-based infant formulas, medical nutritionals, nutrition and energy bars, and related products to support the growth, health and wellness of people of all ages. Abbott Nutrition's internationally recognized brands include the Similac(R) brand of infant formulas; the Gain(R) brand of follow-on formulas and growing-up milks for older babies and toddlers; the Grow(R) brand of pre-school milk for children 3 years and beyond; the PediaSure(R) brand of complete and balanced nutrition and snacks for children; and the Ensure(R) brand of complete and balanced nutrition for adults.

Additionally, Abbott Nutrition is a leader in medical foods clinically shown to address the distinct dietary needs of people with serious health conditions or special nutrient requirements, such as the Glucerna(R) brand of nutrition shakes and bars for people with diabetes. Abbott Nutrition also offers EAS(R) specialized nutrition products to meet the unique needs of athletes, as well as ZonePerfect(R) All-Natural Nutrition Bars for busy people.

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 approximately 69,000 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.

About Abbott Manufacturing Singapore

Abbott is a leader in providing safe, high-quality and effective nutrition products for infants, children and adults. Abbott Manufacturing Singapore (AMS), Abbott's first nutrition plant in Asia, is the company's single largest investment in Asia and its largest nutritional investment. AMS will serve up to 1 million Asian infants and children each year. Abbott currently operates 11 nutrition manufacturing facilities around the world. This plant is a fully integrated facility for the production of its nutrition products.

Key Facts

- Location: Tuas Biomedical Park II, Singapore - Investment: Approximately S$450 million/ US$300 million - First product: January 2009 - Total floor area: 52,000 square meters/ 570,000 square feet

Strategic location in Asia: Singapore offers numerous benefits as a regional distribution hub: a highly educated and motivated workforce; world-class quality and food safety standards; and excellent port facilities. This location will reduce product delivery time to customers in the region, which will extend the shelf-life of Abbott Nutrition's products and increase product availability for customers in Asia.

Providing employment opportunities: The plant currently employs 300 people. It has a multicultural workforce, with employees from countries across the region, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, India and Indonesia.

Environmentally friendly features: Abbott has taken great care to ensure that it minimizes the impact of the plant operations on the environment. These measures include systems for monitoring and minimizing energy usage, water waste and provisions for recycling. The plant received Singapore's Green Mark Gold certification by the Singapore Building and Construction Authority.

State-of-the-art manufacturing: Abbott maintains the most stringent, international manufacturing standards to ensure that its nutrition products are safe and effectively improve the health and well-being of consumers. The plant's manufacturing environment, and equipment and procedures, are designed to achieve the highest level of process control and conformance with current good manufacturing practices through every step of the manufacturing and distribution process.

The same product quality: Singapore-made products are the same as those made in Europe and the United States, with the same high-quality ingredients and testing standards.

Note to Editors:

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Media in Asia, Jennifer Smoter, +1-847-772-4631 or Larry Baumann, +1-847-612-8274, or Other Media, Scott Stoffel, +1-847-936-9502, or Investors, Tina Ventura, +1-847-935-9390, all for Abbott ; Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090225/CG75340