St. Jude Medical
2017
$25.0B
Outcome
Fully integrated into Abbott's massive Medical Devices segment, driving over $8B in annual cardiovascular revenue.
Abbott Laboratories
Global HealthcareFounded 1888- HQ today: Abbott Park, Illinois, USA
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Acquisitions
Abbott Laboratories Acquisitions
4
Major Deals Covered
$40.1B
Disclosed Deal Value
What are Abbott Laboratories's biggest acquisitions?
Abbott Laboratories's largest disclosed acquisition here is St. Jude Medical for $25B in 2017. This page covers 4 major deals from 2001 to 2017, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
- Major deals covered
- 4
- Largest deal
- St. Jude Medical ($25B)
- First deal
- 2001
- Most recent
- 2017
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Jude Medical | 2017 | Undisclosed | — |
| Alere Inc. | 2017 | Undisclosed | — |
| CFR Pharmaceuticals | 2014 | Undisclosed | — |
| BASF Knoll Pharmaceuticals | 2001 | Undisclosed | — |
- What companies has Abbott Laboratories bought?
- Major acquisitions by Abbott Laboratories documented here include St. Jude Medical (2017), BASF Knoll Pharmaceuticals (2001), Alere Inc. (2017) and CFR Pharmaceuticals (2014).
- What is Abbott Laboratories's most recent acquisition?
- The most recent Abbott Laboratories acquisition documented here is St. Jude Medical, in 2017, for $25B.
Alere Inc.
2017
$5.3B
Outcome
Formed the foundation of Abbott's rapid diagnostics business, crucial for COVID-19 and global health testing.
CFR Pharmaceuticals
2014
$2.9B
Outcome
Substantially boosted international established pharmaceuticals revenue and emerging market penetration.
BASF Knoll Pharmaceuticals
2001
$6.9B
Outcome
Powered decades of pharmaceutical revenue growth prior to the 2013 AbbVie spinoff.
Abbott Laboratories's Growth & Acquisition Strategy
Abbott drives organic growth through heavy R&D investment in breakthrough medical technologies, geographic expansion in emerging markets, and targeted acquisitions that plug into its massive global commercial distribution network.
How Abbott Laboratories Makes Money
Abbott operates a diversified, high-margin business model combining consumable medical devices with recurring diagnostic reagent sales and trusted nutritional brands. Over 65% of revenue is derived from recurring consumables and testing supplies.
Abbott Laboratories Acquisitions FAQ
What was Abbott's largest acquisition in corporate history?
Abbott's largest historical acquisition was St. Jude Medical in 2017 for approximately $25 billion, which instantly positioned Abbott as a global leader in cardiovascular and neuromodulation devices.
How did the acquisition of Alere transform Abbott's diagnostics business?
The $5.3 billion acquisition of Alere in 2017 created an unmatched global leader in rapid point-of-care diagnostics, providing the foundational technology and manufacturing capacity utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What criteria does Abbott use to evaluate potential acquisitions?
Abbott evaluates potential acquisition targets based on technological leadership, clinical differentiation, strategic synergy with existing operating segments, and clear potential for accretion to earnings and cash flow.
How successfully does Abbott integrate acquired companies?
Abbott employs a disciplined integration framework that leverages its massive global distribution network, regulatory expertise, and operational scale to accelerate revenue and cost synergies following closing.
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