Abbott Labs Stock Price, News & Analysis

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has received FDA approval for an investigational device exemption (IDE) to evaluate its Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) System in treating severe calcification in coronary arteries before stenting. The TECTONIC trial will enroll up to 335 people across 47 U.S. sites.

The technology uses high-energy sound pressure waves to fracture calcium within artery walls, potentially improving vessel expansion and stent placement. This development addresses Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which affects over 20 million U.S. adults and is America's leading cause of death.

Abbott's IVL system complements their existing vascular portfolio, which includes optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology for calcium detection. The system aims to overcome limitations of current treatment approaches like cutting balloons and atherectomy technology.

Cadrenal Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CVKD) reported its full year 2024 results and updates on tecarfarin development. The company secured a collaboration with Abbott for the TECH-LVAD Phase 3 trial and received additional FDA guidance through a Type D meeting.

Key financial highlights include:

• Net loss of $10.7M in 2024 vs $8.4M in 2023
• R&D expenses of $4.2M vs $4.1M in 2023
• G&A expenses increased to $6.8M from $3.5M
• Cash position of $10.0M as of December 31, 2024
• Raised $9.8M through ATM facility ($5.1M) and warrant exercises ($4.7M)

Notable achievements include FDA Orphan Drug Designation for tecarfarin in mechanical circulatory support devices, appointment of new executive leadership, and completion of manufacturing readiness for Phase 3 trial materials.

Cagent Vascular has appointed Paul Wilson as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) to lead the company's commercial strategy. Wilson, who previously held senior leadership positions at Teleflex (TFX) and Abbott, will oversee sales, marketing, clinical programming, and business development initiatives.

The company's proprietary serration balloon technology, including the FDA-cleared Serranator® and Serranator SL-PRO™ PTA Serration Balloon Catheters, uses stainless steel micro-serration technology for vessel dilation in endovascular interventions. The technology delivers 1,000x more point force compared to traditional balloon angioplasty, creating linear, interrupted scoring during slow-and-low balloon inflation to optimize vessel preparation and enhance arterial expansion in peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Cadrenal Therapeutics (CVKD) has announced a significant collaboration agreement with Abbott (ABT) to support their pivotal TECH-LVAD trial, evaluating tecarfarin in patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs).

The collaboration focuses on testing tecarfarin, a new oral Vitamin K antagonist (VKA), with Abbott's HeartMate 3™ LVAD, which is currently the only advanced mechanical circulatory support device available in the United States for patients with advanced heart failure.

Under the agreement, Abbott will provide support in:

• Trial design
• Site identification
• Trial awareness
• HeartMate 3™ expertise

The LVAD market, valued at $1.1 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2032, according to Business Research Insights.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has announced its 405th consecutive quarterly dividend of 59 cents per share, continuing a remarkable streak that began in 1924. The dividend will be payable on May 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2025.

The company has demonstrated exceptional consistency in shareholder returns, having increased its dividend payout for 53 consecutive years. This achievement has earned Abbott a position in the prestigious S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which recognizes companies that have raised their dividends annually for at least 25 consecutive years.

Abbott has released new survey findings and a film highlighting how misconceptions and stigma affect people living with diabetes. The survey of over 2,600 people across eight countries revealed concerning statistics: 40% have missed doctor's appointments due to shame, nearly 70% believe there is stigma associated with their condition, and 85% have witnessed inaccurate diabetes portrayals in media.

The study showed that almost 25% avoided sharing their diagnosis with family or friends, while biometric testing indicated 40% of individuals had elevated physiological responses to stigmatizing statements. Notably, questions about food choices triggered the strongest stress responses.

Abbott's new 'Above the Bias' initiative aims to promote understanding of diabetes from patients' perspectives. The survey also found that 70% of respondents reported that supportive comments significantly boost their motivation to manage their condition.

Abbott (ABT) reported strong Q4 2024 results with sales of $11.0 billion, up 7.2% on a reported basis and 10.1% organic growth excluding COVID-19 testing. Full-year 2024 sales reached $42.0 billion, increasing 4.6% on a reported basis and 9.6% organic growth excluding COVID-19 testing.

The company achieved the upper end of its initial 2024 guidance ranges for both organic sales growth and adjusted earnings per share. Q4 2024 GAAP diluted EPS was $5.27, while adjusted diluted EPS was $1.34. Full-year 2024 GAAP diluted EPS was $7.64, with adjusted EPS at $4.67.

Looking ahead, Abbott projects full-year 2025 organic sales growth of 7.5% to 8.5%, with adjusted operating margin expected to be 23.5% to 24.0%. The company forecasts full-year 2025 adjusted diluted EPS of $5.05 to $5.25, representing double-digit growth at the midpoint.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) faces a class action lawsuit filed by the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) over allegedly misleading marketing of its 'toddler milk' products. The lawsuit targets Abbott's 'Go & Grow Toddler Drink' and 'Pure Bliss Toddler Drink,' claiming deceptive marketing practices targeting parents of children aged 12-36 months.

The complaint alleges Abbott positions these products as a natural progression from FDA-regulated infant formula, despite lacking FDA regulation and containing 22.9% and 20% added sugar respectively. The lawsuit highlights that toddler milk sales exceed $500 million annually, with advertising spending quadrupling between 2006-2015.

Medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend against these products, advocating instead for healthy foods, water, and plain cow's milk for toddlers. The lawsuit seeks marketing practice changes and consumer refunds across multiple states.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced it will release its fourth-quarter 2024 financial results on Wednesday, January 22, before market open. The company will host a live webcast earnings conference call at 8:30 a.m. Central time (9:30 a.m. Eastern). Investors can access the webcast through Abbott's Investor Relations website at www.abbottinvestor.com. An archived version of the call will be made available later the same day.