Overview

AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. It became an independent publicly traded company in 2013 after being separated from Abbott, taking with it Abbott’s established pharmaceutical research and commercial operations. AbbVie focuses on immunology, oncology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, women’s health, and related therapeutic areas. Its portfolio has included Humira, Skyrizi, Rinvoq, Imbruvica, and other prescription medicines, as well as therapeutic and aesthetic products associated with the Allergan business. Humira was for many years a central product, while the company has sought to diversify its revenue base as biosimilar competition increased after the loss of key exclusivity protections. AbbVie has also expanded through research partnerships, licensing, and acquisitions, including the acquisition of Allergan. Its core business is the research, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines and related healthcare products; it is not a banking or general financial-services brand.

History

AbbVie was created as part of Abbott Laboratories’ separation of its research-based pharmaceutical operations. The company was formed in 2012 and began operating as an independent public company in January 2013. Its corporate name linked the Abbott heritage with “vie,” a word element associated with life. The new company inherited established medicines, research capabilities, employees, and commercial infrastructure, with Humira becoming its defining product. Humira’s success gave AbbVie a powerful position in immunology. The medicine was approved for a broad set of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. At the same time, its importance made the company vulnerable to the eventual loss of exclusivity. AbbVie pursued patent and lifecycle-management strategies while developing replacement products and expanding into other therapeutic areas. During its first years, AbbVie supplemented internal research with external alliances and acquisitions. In 2014 it acquired ImmuVen and entered collaborations with Infinity Pharmaceuticals and Calico. The company abandoned its proposed acquisition of Shire in 2014 after changes to United States tax rules undermined the transaction’s intended structure; AbbVie paid a reported $1.6 billion termination fee. In 2015 it acquired Pharmacyclics, obtaining Imbruvica and increasing its presence in hematologic oncology. In 2016 it acquired Stemcentrx and expanded collaborations in cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, oncology, synthetic biology, and targeted immunotherapy. The largest transformation came through the Allergan transaction. Announced in 2019 and completed in 2020, the approximately $63 billion acquisition added Botox and Allergan’s aesthetics business, as well as products and development assets in neuroscience, eye care, gastroenterology, and other fields. Regulatory review required divestitures including brazikumab and the pancreatic enzyme products Zenpep and Viokace. The acquisition diversified AbbVie beyond immunology and created a much broader commercial platform. The COVID-19 pandemic produced a short-lived investigation of Kaletra, the lopinavir/ritonavir combination used for HIV. AbbVie worked with health authorities to evaluate whether the medicine could have value against COVID-19, but an early randomized study did not demonstrate usefulness in severe disease. In the same period, Israel announced it could override patent protections for access to the medicine; AbbVie subsequently stated that it would not enforce its Kaletra patents. After 2020, AbbVie continued to build positions in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. Allergan Aesthetics acquired Soliton in 2021, while AbbVie acquired TeneoOne and its multiple-myeloma program. In 2022 it bought Syndesi Therapeutics and DJS Antibodies, adding neuroscience and antibody research capabilities. Humira biosimilar competition began to intensify in 2023, increasing the importance of Skyrizi and Rinvoq as successor growth products. In 2024 AbbVie completed acquisitions of ImmunoGen, Landos Biopharma, and Cerevel Therapeutics. ImmunoGen brought Elahere, an antibody-drug conjugate for ovarian cancer. Landos added NX-13, an investigational gastrointestinal immunology asset. Cerevel expanded the neuroscience pipeline with programs aimed at disorders including schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions. AbbVie also acquired Aliada Therapeutics in 2024 to add another neuroscience platform. The company’s growth strategy combines commercial execution with business development. AbbVie promotes prescription products through healthcare professionals, patient-support programs, digital channels, television, and disease-awareness initiatives. Its public-facing communications increasingly focus on patient experiences and the effect of chronic disease on everyday life. The “I Am” corporate campaign, for example, portrayed people with psoriasis, Parkinson’s disease, blood cancer, and other conditions through identities broader than their diagnoses, while also featuring scientists involved in developing medicines. AbbVie has also faced sustained criticism. Allegations have concerned patent thickets and other methods that may delay biosimilar competition, drug-pricing practices, marketing arrangements, tax planning, and opioid promotion by an Allergan subsidiary. The company settled some disputes financially while denying wrongdoing in certain cases. A United Kingdom court dismissed AbbVie’s 2018 procurement challenge against NHS England concerning hepatitis C treatments. These issues have made AbbVie a recurring subject in debates about pharmaceutical competition, affordability, and intellectual-property policy. In June 2024, Robert A. Michael became chief executive officer and Richard Gonzalez became executive chairman. AbbVie continues to focus on replacing Humira-related revenue with growth in immunology, aesthetics, oncology, and neuroscience, while using acquisitions and licensing agreements to replenish its research pipeline.

2024
ImmunoGen acquisition closes
[2]AbbVie Completes Acquisition of ImmunoGennews.abbvie.com
AbbVie completed its acquisition of ImmunoGen and added Elahere to its oncology portfolio.
2024
Leadership transition
[7]Leadership transitionnews.abbvie.com
Robert Michael became CEO and Richard Gonzalez became executive chairman.
2023
Humira biosimilar competition begins
[1]AbbVieen.wikipedia.org
Biosimilar versions of Humira began entering the United States market, intensifying pressure on AbbVie’s former leading product.
2020
Allergan transaction closes
[1]AbbVieen.wikipedia.org
The Allergan acquisition closed, adding Botox, aesthetics, neuroscience, and other businesses. AbbVie completed the acquisition of Allergan, incorporating its aesthetics, ophthalmology, and neuroscience products and operations into the company's portfolio.
2019
Announced acquisition of Allergan
AbbVie announced the acquisition of Allergan to expand its business in aesthetics, neuroscience, ophthalmology, and other specialty therapeutic areas.
2016
Stemcentrx acquisition
[1]AbbVieen.wikipedia.org
AbbVie announced an acquisition of Stemcentrx valued at up to $9.8 billion, expanding its oncology pipeline.
2015
Pharmacyclics acquisition
[1]AbbVieen.wikipedia.org
AbbVie acquired Pharmacyclics, bringing Imbruvica into its oncology portfolio.
2013
Public-company launch
[1]AbbVieen.wikipedia.org
AbbVie began trading independently in January 2013. AbbVie was spun off from Abbott, taking over part of its pharmaceutical R&D and commercialization business, and became an independent publicly traded company.
2012
AbbVie is formed
[1]AbbVieen.wikipedia.org
AbbVie was established as the planned spin-off of Abbott Laboratories’ research-based pharmaceutical business.

Products and positioning

A diversified research-driven biopharmaceutical company with particular strength in immunology, specialty medicines, aesthetics, oncology, and neuroscience. AbbVie positions itself around innovative therapies for serious and chronic diseases, supported by global commercialization and acquisitions that replenish its pipeline. A global research-based biopharmaceutical company focused on immunology, oncology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and aesthetics.

Immunology biologic
Humira
Humira is the brand name for adalimumab, a tumor-necrosis-factor inhibitor administered by injection. It has been used across a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Humira was AbbVie’s foundational commercial product, but its importance also exposed the company to substantial revenue pressure when biosimilar competition began. An adalimumab-based biologic used for a range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. It was one of AbbVie’s defining products during the company’s early development and established a major commercial foundation in immunology.
Immunology biologic
Skyrizi
Skyrizi is risankizumab, an interleukin-23 inhibitor used for several immune-mediated diseases. Its indications include plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. AbbVie has developed Skyrizi as one of its principal post-Humira growth products, supported by clinical expansion and substantial patient and professional communications. An immunology medicine targeting a specific inflammatory pathway and used in selected chronic inflammatory diseases. It is one of AbbVie’s key newer immunology products developed to strengthen the portfolio beyond Humira.
Immunology small molecule drug
Rinvoq
Rinvoq is upadacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor used in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including certain forms of arthritis, atopic dermatitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Its oral format and expanding indications make it a central component of AbbVie’s immunology strategy and a major successor to Humira. An oral immunomodulatory medicine used in selected inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. It represents AbbVie’s effort to build an oral immunology franchise alongside its biologic therapies.
Medical aesthetics and therapeutic medicine
Botox
Botox is a botulinum toxin product used for both aesthetic procedures and therapeutic indications. AbbVie obtained the brand through the Allergan acquisition. The business operates across cosmetic treatment and medical applications, including certain neurological and muscular conditions, and is one of AbbVie’s most recognizable consumer-facing offerings. A botulinum toxin brand used in selected therapeutic indications and aesthetic procedures. It became an important part of AbbVie’s aesthetics and specialty-care portfolio through the integration of Allergan.
Oncology medicine
Imbruvica
Imbruvica is ibrutinib, a targeted oncology medicine used in several blood cancers and related hematological malignancies. AbbVie obtained rights and commercial participation through its 2015 acquisition of Pharmacyclics. The product helped establish AbbVie as a significant oncology company, although it has faced competition and pricing scrutiny. A targeted oncology medicine used in certain hematologic malignancies. It helped AbbVie expand beyond immunology into oncology, with specific indications and availability subject to local regulatory approvals.
Oncology medicine
Venclexta
Venclexta is venetoclax, a medicine used in the treatment of certain leukemias and lymphomas. It is part of AbbVie’s blood-cancer portfolio and was developed through collaboration with Genentech and Roche. Its mechanism and clinical use place it within the company’s targeted-therapy strategy in hematologic oncology.
Neuroscience medicine
Vraylar
Vraylar is cariprazine, a medicine used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The product is part of AbbVie’s neuroscience portfolio and illustrates the company’s effort to build commercial depth beyond immunology and oncology. A prescription medicine used in selected psychiatric and mood-disorder indications. It is one of the representative brands in AbbVie’s neuroscience portfolio, with availability and indications subject to local approvals.
Antiviral medicine
Mavyret
Mavyret is glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, a fixed-dose antiviral combination used to treat hepatitis C virus infection. It represents AbbVie’s contribution to direct-acting antiviral therapy and its broader focus on medicines addressing significant infectious diseases.
Bispecific oncology antibody
Epkinly
Epkinly is epcoritamab, a bispecific antibody developed with Genmab for certain B-cell blood cancers. It is designed to engage immune cells against malignant B cells and adds a newer immuno-oncology modality to AbbVie’s hematology portfolio.
Antibody-drug conjugate · 2022
Elahere
Elahere is an antibody-drug conjugate obtained through AbbVie’s acquisition of ImmunoGen. It is used in certain ovarian cancers and gives AbbVie a commercial foothold in a specialized oncology technology area. The acquisition was intended to accelerate AbbVie’s development and commercialization of the product.

Controversies

2024
Trade-secret lawsuit against BeiGene
AbbVie sued BeiGene, alleging that a former AbbVie scientist took confidential information that was used in developing a competing blood-cancer treatment. The allegations were disputed and remained litigation claims rather than established findings.
Source
2022
Opioid-marketing settlement involving Allergan
AbbVie agreed to pay up to $2.37 billion to resolve U.S. litigation involving alleged opioid marketing by its Allergan unit. AbbVie denied wrongdoing.
Source
2021
Senate investigation into tax practices
The United States Senate Finance Committee examined whether AbbVie used provisions of the 2017 tax law and offshore intellectual-property structures to reduce its U.S. tax liability.
Source
2021
BTL and AbbVie settle patent dispute
BTL announced that it had resolved its patent infringement claims against AbbVie related to BTL's muscle stimulation technology. Under the settlement, AbbVie will pay BTL an undisclosed amount, and pending litigation between the parties will be dismissed.
Source
2021
AbbVie files second suit against Alvotech
AbbVie brought a second action against Alvotech hf. in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging patent infringement in connection with Alvotech’s proposed HUMIRA biosimilar.
Source
2021
Alvotech files suit against AbbVie over Humira patents
Alvotech USA and Alvotech hf filed a declaratory-judgment complaint against AbbVie in the Eastern District of Virginia, alleging that patents in AbbVie’s Humira portfolio were invalid or unenforceable and seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity.
Source
2020
Humira nurse-ambassador allegations
AbbVie agreed to pay $24 million to resolve allegations concerning kickbacks connected with promotion of Humira through nurse-ambassador programs.
Source
2018
TriCor marketing settlement
AbbVie agreed to pay $25 million to resolve allegations that unlawful kickback arrangements were used to promote TriCor. The resolution did not establish a criminal conviction by itself, and the company’s legal position should be distinguished from the allegations.
Source

Marketing campaigns

2024Rinvoq and Skyrizi national television campaigns
United States
AbbVie maintained prominent television advertising for Rinvoq and Skyrizi across arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Outcome. The campaigns supported the company’s effort to shift attention toward its post-Humira immunology growth products.
Source
2022Rinvoq extreme-sports television advertising
United States
A series of high-energy Rinvoq advertisements used scenarios such as helicopters, motorcycles, and rafting to dramatize the desire to return to activities affected by inflammatory disease.
Outcome. The campaign extended Rinvoq’s direct-to-consumer presence across indications including eczema, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.
Source
I Am
United States
A corporate campaign presenting people living with conditions treated by AbbVie as multidimensional individuals rather than as diagnoses. The campaign also highlighted employees and scientists involved in creating medicines and used digital, social, and out-of-home media.
Outcome. The campaign sought to build an emotional connection with patients and communicate AbbVie’s patient-centered corporate identity.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Acquire ImmunoGenM&A
Background
AbbVie sought to accelerate its entry into antibody-drug conjugates and ovarian-cancer treatment.
Action taken
AbbVie completed the acquisition of ImmunoGen for $31.26 per share.
Aftermath
ImmunoGen became part of AbbVie and contributed Elahere and related oncology capabilities.
Transaction value. $10.1 billion (Completed February 12, 2024)
Source
2024
Acquire Landos BiopharmaM&A
Background
AbbVie wanted to strengthen its inflammatory bowel disease pipeline with a novel investigational asset.
Action taken
AbbVie completed the acquisition of Landos, adding NX-13 for study in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Aftermath
Landos became part of AbbVie and its shares ceased trading on Nasdaq.
Per-share consideration. $20.42 per share plus a contingent value right of up to $11.14 per share (Completed May 23, 2024)
Source
2020
Stop enforcing Kaletra patents during the pandemicStrategy
Background
Lopinavir/ritonavir was being evaluated as a possible COVID-19 treatment, while governments and health groups raised concerns about access.
Action taken
AbbVie announced that it would stop enforcing patents covering Kaletra.
Aftermath
Clinical evidence did not support Kaletra as an effective treatment for severe COVID-19, but the decision removed a patent-enforcement barrier during the emergency.
Source
2019
Acquire AllerganM&A
Background
AbbVie sought to diversify beyond Humira and expand in aesthetics, neuroscience, eye care, and established medicines.
Action taken
AbbVie agreed to acquire Allergan in a transaction valued at approximately $63 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in 2020 after regulatory review and required selected asset divestitures.
Transaction value. $63 billion (Announced 2019; completed 2020)
Source
2014
Withdraw from the Shire acquisitionM&A
Background
AbbVie had pursued Shire in a transaction that would have created a much larger pharmaceutical group and used a tax-inversion structure.
Action taken
The company abandoned the transaction after changes to U.S. Treasury rules reduced the expected tax advantages.
Aftermath
AbbVie paid a reported $1.6 billion termination fee and continued pursuing growth through other acquisitions and internal development.
Termination fee. $1.6 billion (2014)
Source

Recent events

2026.10.30
Reported2026.11.01
AbbVie completes acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics[13]艾伯维完成对Apogee Therapeutics的收购themarketsdaily.com
AbbVie completed its acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics, as reported in the release dated Oct. 30.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.09.25
US FDA approves AbbVie's drug for Parkinson's disease[14]美国FDA批准艾伯维帕金森病药物news.google.com
The US Food and Drug Administration approved AbbVie's drug for Parkinson's disease, as reported by Reuters.
2026
AbbVie reports third-quarter 2026 results[15]艾伯维公布2026年第三季度业绩eeo.com.cn
AbbVie reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $17.404 billion, up 10.3% year over year, and adjusted EPS of $3.82.
2026
AbbVie raises full-year adjusted EPS guidance[15]艾伯维公布2026年第三季度业绩eeo.com.cn
AbbVie raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance from $13.76–$13.96 to $13.95–$13.99.
Unconfirmed
Reported2022.01.21
FDA approves Skyrizi for active psoriatic arthritis in adults[16]FDA 批准 Skyrizi 用于成人活动性银屑病关节炎healio.com
The FDA approved AbbVie’s risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi) for treating adults with active psoriatic arthritis, expanding its indication beyond plaque psoriasis. The article does not state the approval date.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.09.29
FDA approves AbbVie’s Qulipta for migraine prevention[17]FDA批准艾伯维Qulipta用于预防偏头痛finanznachrichten.de
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved AbbVie’s Qulipta for the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults.
2021.09.07
Reported2021.09.07
BTL and AbbVie settle patent dispute[10]BTL and AbbVie settle patent disputeprnewswire.com
BTL announced that it had resolved its patent infringement claims against AbbVie related to BTL's muscle stimulation technology. Under the settlement, AbbVie will pay BTL an undisclosed amount, and pending litigation between the parties will be dismissed.
2021.07.29
Reported2021.07.29
FDA approves Botox label expansion for adult upper limb spasticity[18]FDA批准Botox扩大成人上肢痉挛适应症标签healio.com
The FDA approved a Botox label expansion to include eight additional muscles and ultrasound use for treatment of upper limb spasticity in adults.
2021.07.23
Reported2021.07.23
FDA approves Dalvance for pediatric infections[19]FDA批准Dalvance用于儿童感染治疗healio.com
The FDA approved AbbVie's Dalvance for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections in pediatric patients from birth, according to the report.
2021.06.24
Reported2021.06.24
AbbVie to acquire TeneoOne[20]艾伯维将收购 TeneoOnemedcitynews.com
AbbVie exercised its option to acquire TeneoOne, the Teneobio affiliate developing the cancer drug TNB-383B, for an undisclosed sum.