Abbott’s Ibis Technology Named One of the Top Innovations for 2009 by The Scientist

Abbott Park, Illinois (NYSE: ABT) — Abbott’s Ibis technology for detecting and characterizing a vast array of microorganisms has been named one of the top innovations in 2009 by The Scientist magazine. A panel of expert judges evaluated a broad range of life science technologies to determine the year’s top innovations, with the winners unveiled in the publication’s December issue and online at www.the scientist.com/top10innovations.

“The Scientist is really happy to present our innovation awards for the second time,” said Alison McCook, deputy editor. “This year’s list captures a wide range of products, from imaging and genomics to other tools that stunningly capture both intracellular and extracellular processes. We look forward to seeing how these products will impact the life sciences.”

Abbott’s Ibis system (now marketed under the PLEX ID trade name) was recognized for the honor, in part, because it is designed to detect and characterize a broad range of microorganisms in a given sample, including viruses, bacteria and fungi.

“Science is the foundation for everything we do at Abbott, and we’re proud to be honored for the distinguished work that our scientists and engineers do to provide important advances across the spectrum of care,” said Edward Michael, executive vice president, Diagnostics, Abbott.

Earlier this year, the Ibis technology was named overall Gold winner of the 2009 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards.

The PLEX ID is a high-throughput system based on a combination of technologies including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mass spectrometry analysis.

The system is designed to address a significant unmet need by providing

test results in six to seven hours instead of three or more days as often required with current culturing methods.

PLEX ID is currently not intended for use in diagnostic procedures. Commercial applications for the system include tests developed for use in unregulated areas such as epidemiologic surveillance, biological research, environmental testing, and forensic research.