AbbVie Inc.

BiopharmaceuticalFounded 2013- HQ today: North Chicago, Illinois

Founders

Who Founded AbbVie?

Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin) · Founded 2013 · HQ today: North Chicago, Illinois

Who founded AbbVie?

AbbVie was founded by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin) in 2013 in Delaware, United States. It is now led by Robert A. Michael.

Founders: Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin)
Founded: 2013
Headquarters: North Chicago, Illinois
Number of founders: 1
Current CEO: Robert A. Michael (since 2024)

Where was AbbVie founded?: AbbVie was founded in Delaware, United States in 2013. wikidata.org
When was AbbVie founded?: AbbVie was founded in 2013.
Who started AbbVie?: AbbVie was founded by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin).
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.

Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin)

Co-founder 2013

Background

AbbVie was formed through Abbott Laboratories' separation of its research-based pharmaceutical business, not through a conventional startup founding. The distribution occurred on January 1, 2013, and AbbVie launched as an independent company.

Role at AbbVie Inc.

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).

AbbVie Inc.: CEO & Leadership History

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Robert A. Michael

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2024 – Present

Became chief executive officer on July 1, 2024 and chairman on July 1, 2025. He previously led finance, commercial operations, and corporate strategy roles at AbbVie.

Richard A. Gonzalez

Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2013 – 2024

Served as AbbVie's chief executive officer from its formation in 2013 through June 2024 and as executive chairman through June 2025.

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Who Founded AbbVie? FAQ

Who founded AbbVie?

AbbVie was formed through Abbott Laboratories' separation of its research-based pharmaceutical business, not through a conventional startup founding.

What was Richard A. Gonzalez's role at formation?

Gonzalez was chairman and CEO at AbbVie's January 2013 launch. AbbVie later described him as its founding CEO.

When did AbbVie become independent?

The distribution occurred on January 1, 2013, and AbbVie marked its independent launch and NYSE trading on January 2, 2013.

Where was AbbVie headquartered at launch?

AbbVie listed North Chicago, Illinois as its corporate headquarters in its launch announcement.

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Who founded AbbVie?

Founding Story

Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin)

Background

Role at AbbVie Inc.

AbbVie Inc.: CEO & Leadership History

Keep researching AbbVie

Who Founded AbbVie? FAQ

Who founded AbbVie?

What was Richard A. Gonzalez's role at formation?

When did AbbVie become independent?

Where was AbbVie headquartered at launch?

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