AbbVie Inc.
Company History
AbbVie History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 2013 in Delaware, United States
When was AbbVie founded?
AbbVie was founded in 2013 in Delaware, United States by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin), making it 13 years old.
- Founded
- 2013
- Founding place
- Delaware, United States
- Founders
- Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin)
- Headquarters today
- North Chicago, Illinois
- Milestones documented
- 12 (2013–2026)
- Current CEO
- Robert A. Michael
- Acquisitions
- 4
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2013 | AbbVie Launches as an Independent Company |
| 2015 | Pharmacyclics Acquisition Completed |
| 2019 | Skyrizi Receives Initial U.S. Approval |
| 2019 | Rinvoq Receives Initial U.S. Approval |
| 2020 | Allergan Acquisition Completed |
| 2023 | U.S. Humira Biosimilar Competition Begins |
| 2024 | ImmunoGen Acquisition Completed |
| 2024 | Robert A. Michael Becomes CEO |
| 2024 | Cerevel Therapeutics Acquisition Completed |
| 2025 | Robert A. Michael Becomes Chairman |
| 2025 | FY2025 Revenue Reaches $61.160 Billion |
| 2026 | Q1 2026 Revenue Reaches $15.002 Billion |
- Where was AbbVie founded?
- AbbVie was founded in Delaware, United States in 2013. wikidata.org
- Who founded AbbVie?
- AbbVie was founded by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin).
- When did AbbVie start?
- AbbVie was founded in 2013.
- How old is AbbVie?
- AbbVie is 13 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Abbott Laboratories separated its research-based pharmaceutical business into AbbVie, which launched as an independent company and began NYSE trading under ABBV in January 2013. AbbVie's launch release identified Richard A. Gonzalez as chairman and chief executive officer and estimated annual revenue at about $18 billion.
Founders
Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin)
Abbott Laboratories was AbbVie's corporate predecessor. AbbVie's official launch materials describe the company as formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. Richard A. Gonzalez was AbbVie's chairman and CEO at launch and is accurately described by AbbVie as its founding CEO, rather than as a personal co-founder. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Key Milestones
AbbVie Launches as an Independent Company
AbbVie launched after Abbott Laboratories separated its research-based pharmaceutical business and began NYSE trading under ABBV.
Source: news.abbvie.comPharmacyclics Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of Pharmacyclics, adding Imbruvica and expanding its hematologic oncology business.
Source: investors.abbvie.comSkyrizi Receives Initial U.S. Approval
The FDA approved Skyrizi for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in April 2019.
Source: news.abbvie.comRinvoq Receives Initial U.S. Approval
The FDA approved Rinvoq for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in August 2019.
Source: news.abbvie.comAllergan Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed the Allergan acquisition, adding neuroscience, eye care, and Allergan Aesthetics products including Botox and Juvederm.
Source: news.abbvie.comU.S. Humira Biosimilar Competition Begins
Humira began facing U.S. biosimilar competition, and AbbVie reported a subsequent decline in Humira revenue.
Source: sec.govImmunoGen Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of ImmunoGen, adding Elahere and antibody-drug conjugate programs.
Source: news.abbvie.comRobert A. Michael Becomes CEO
Robert A. Michael succeeded Richard A. Gonzalez as chief executive officer effective July 1, 2024.
Source: news.abbvie.comCerevel Therapeutics Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics, adding clinical-stage neuroscience programs.
Source: news.abbvie.comRobert A. Michael Becomes Chairman
Robert A. Michael added the chairman role effective July 1, 2025, when Richard A. Gonzalez retired from the board.
Source: news.abbvie.comFY2025 Revenue Reaches $61.160 Billion
AbbVie reported FY2025 net revenue of $61.160 billion and net income of $4.226 billion.
Source: news.abbvie.comQ1 2026 Revenue Reaches $15.002 Billion
AbbVie reported first-quarter 2026 net revenue of $15.002 billion, up 12.4 percent on a reported basis.
Source: prnewswire.comMajor Acquisitions
Pharmacyclics, Inc.
2015Added Imbruvica and expanded AbbVie's hematologic oncology business.
Allergan plc
2020Added neuroscience, eye care, and Allergan Aesthetics products, including Botox and Juvederm.
ImmunoGen, Inc.
2024Added Elahere and antibody-drug conjugate programs in oncology.
Cerevel Therapeutics
2024Added clinical-stage neuroscience programs including emraclidine and tavapadon.
Keep researching AbbVie
AbbVie Company History FAQ
How was AbbVie created?
AbbVie launched as an independent public company in January 2013 after Abbott Laboratories separated its research-based pharmaceutical business.
When were Skyrizi and Rinvoq first approved in the United States?
The FDA approved Skyrizi for plaque psoriasis in April 2019 and Rinvoq for rheumatoid arthritis in August 2019.
When did Humira face U.S. biosimilar competition?
U.S. biosimilar competition began in 2023. AbbVie subsequently reported lower Humira revenue and continued growth from Skyrizi and Rinvoq.
What were AbbVie's major 2024 changes?
AbbVie completed the ImmunoGen and Cerevel acquisitions, and Robert A. Michael became CEO on July 1, 2024.
Why did AbbVie split from Abbott?
The 2013 split allowed AbbVie to focus entirely on research-driven biopharmaceuticals (like Humira), while Abbott retained the medical devices and diagnostics divisions.
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