2014 annual report
on form 10-k
2015 notice of
annual meeting and
proxy statement
AbbVie
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, IL 60064 U.S.A.
abbvie.com
Copyright© 2015 AbbVie. All rights reserved.
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about abbvie
AbbVie is a global, research-based
biopharmaceutical company formed
in 2013 following separation from
Abbott Laboratories. The company’s
mission is to use its expertise, dedicated
people and unique approach to innovation
to develop and market advanced therapies
that address some of the world’s most
complex and serious diseases. AbbVie
employs more than 26,000 people
worldwide and markets medicines in more
than 170 countries.
For further information on the company
and its people, portfolio and commitments,
please visit www.abbvie.com.
stockholder information
AbbVie Inc. Corporate Headquarters
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
847.932.7900
abbvie.com
Investor Relations
Dept. ZZ05, AP34
Corporate Secretary
Dept. V364, AP34
Stock Listing
The ticker for AbbVie’s common stock
is ABBV. The principal market for AbbVie
common stock is the NYSE. AbbVie
common stock is also listed on the Chicago
Stock Exchange, the NYSE Euronext Paris,
and the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will be held on
Friday, May 8, 2015, at 9 a.m. at
the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park,
200 North Columbus Drive,
Chicago, IL 60601.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The AbbVie Dividend Reinvestment
Plan offers registered stockholders
an opportunity to purchase additional
shares, commission-free, through
automatic dividend reinvestment
and/or optional cash investments.
Interested persons may contact the
transfer agent.
Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Co. NA
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
877.881.5970 (toll free)
732.645.4123
www.computershare.com
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Dear AbbVie Shareholder:
When AbbVie launched as a new company in January of 2013, our stated goal was to
create an innovation driven, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company capable of
delivering sustainable top-tier performance by creating a consistent stream of innovative
new medicines that advance standard of care for patients.
In our first two years, we have made significant progress against that mission. We
have advanced our culture to be faster, more agile, with a strong focus on innovative
science and patient insight; refined our therapeutic focus to invest in areas where we
have deep knowledge of the science and biology; built a robust pipeline of potential new
medicines; and supplemented the strong talent we have from our legacy company Abbott
with new talent from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Over that two-year period,
we have delivered strong growth from our promoted, on-market portfolio, including
market-leading growth from Humira. We have worked to improve our operational
efficiency including improvement in our gross margin profile. We maintained our strong
commitment to returning cash to our shareholders through our strong and growing
dividend. And, we delivered industry-leading total shareholder return of over 105%.
Quite simply, AbbVie is not the same company we were just two years ago. Today we
have major leading franchises in immunology, virology and a strong emerging franchise in
oncology. Our late-stage pipeline has progressed well with strong pivotal data on several
important assets such as Zinbryta, Elagolix and Venetoclax.
2014 was an exceptional year for AbbVie. We delivered top-tier financial performance
as well as advanced our overall strategic imperatives for our business. Our sales and
earnings exceeded original projections during the year, our leading brands delivered
outstanding performance, and we delivered results that exceeded our financial guidance.
In addition to delivering both strong revenue and profit growth, we continued to
provide excellent capital returns to our shareholders through increasing our cash dividend
by nearly 17 percent, and implementing a $5 billion stock repurchase program.
Humira, our flagship treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune
conditions, continued to perform exceptionally well with product sales increasing by
nearly 19%, to $12.5 billion for the year. Our other leading brands Duodopa (Parkinson’s
disease), Creon (pancreatitis), Synagis (lung disease), and Synthroid (hypothyroidism) also
turned in double-digit performance. In December, we strengthened our product portfolio
with the first launch of Viekira, our novel hepatitis C therapy that represents a significant
advancement in the treatment of this disease.
We made significant progress in advancing our pipeline, which is the strongest in our
history. AbbVie has more than 40 programs in clinical development, with 30 of those in
Phase 2 or later. We have 10 ongoing or recently initiated potential registration programs
in oncology; completed late-stage clinical trials in virology, neuroscience and immunology;
and advanced several early-stage assets into mid-stage development. We are well
positioned to deliver strong performance in 2015 and beyond.
In 2014 we entered into a number of new and innovative collaborations and licensing
arrangements, including our partnership with Calico, the Google-based life sciences
company. Each of these collaborations is designed to further advance our pipeline of new
and promising therapies. We also continued to evaluate promising strategic acquisitions
that provide operational benefits, strong, financial performances and meet our criteria for
return to our shareholders.
We’ve set a high bar for ourselves as we move into the next stage of our evolution,
and we remain in an excellent position to deliver on our commitments to patients,
physicians, payors and shareholders. On behalf of our 26,000 employees, I want to thank
you for your trust and confidence in AbbVie.
Sincerely,
4DEC201212233206
Richard A. Gonzalez
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
(cid:2) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
(cid:3) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
Commission file number 001-35565
AbbVie Inc.
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064-6400
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
32-0375147
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)
(847) 932-7900
(telephone number)
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
New York Stock Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes (cid:2)
No (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes (cid:3)
No (cid:2)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes (cid:2)
No (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any,
every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes (cid:2)
No (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this
chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or
a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of ‘‘large accelerated filer,’’ ‘‘accelerated filer’’ and ‘‘smaller reporting
company’’ in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer (cid:2)
Accelerated Filer (cid:3)
Smaller Reporting Company (cid:3)
Non-accelerated Filer (cid:3)
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes (cid:3)
No (cid:2)
The aggregate market value of the 1,574,311,912 shares of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant,
computed by reference to the closing price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, as of the last business day of
AbbVie Inc.’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2014), was $88,854,164,315. AbbVie has no non-voting
common equity.
Number of common shares outstanding as of January 31, 2015: 1,593,886,909
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the 2015 AbbVie Inc. Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference into Part III. The Proxy Statement will
be filed on or about March 20, 2015.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Separation from Abbott Laboratories
AbbVie(1) was incorporated in Delaware on April 10, 2012. On January 1, 2013, AbbVie became an
independent company as a result of the distribution by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) of 100 percent of the
outstanding common stock of AbbVie to Abbott’s shareholders. AbbVie’s common stock began trading
‘‘regular-way’’ under the ticker symbol ‘‘ABBV’’ on the New York Stock Exchange on January 2, 2013.
Overview
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company. AbbVie develops and markets advanced
therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie’s products are
focused on treating conditions such as chronic autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis,
psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease; hepatitis C (HCV); human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); endometriosis;
thyroid disease; Parkinson’s disease; complications associated with chronic kidney disease and cystic fibrosis;
and other health conditions such as low testosterone. AbbVie also has a pipeline of promising new
medicines, including more than 30 compounds or indications in Phase 2 or Phase 3 development across
such important medical specialties as immunology, virology/liver disease, oncology, renal disease,
neurological diseases and women’s health.
Segments
AbbVie operates in one business segment—pharmaceutical products. Incorporated herein by reference
is Note 15 entitled ‘‘Segment and Geographic Area Information’’ of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ and the sales
information related to HUMIRA included under Item 7, ‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations.’’
Products
AbbVie’s portfolio of products includes a broad line of therapies that address some of the world’s most
complex and serious diseases.
HUMIRA. HUMIRA is a biologic therapy administered as a subcutaneous injection. It is approved to
treat the following autoimmune diseases in the United States, Canada, and Mexico (collectively, North
America), and in the European Union:
Condition
Rheumatoid arthritis (moderate to severe)
Psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease (moderate to severe)
Plaque psoriasis (moderate to severe)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Ulcerative colitis (moderate to severe)
Axial spondyloarthropathy
Pediatric Crohn’s disease (severe)
Pediatric enthesitis-related arthritis
Principal Markets
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
United States, European Union
United States, European Union
United States, European Union
European Union
(1) As used throughout the text of this report on Form 10-K, the term ‘‘AbbVie’’ refers to AbbVie Inc., a
Delaware corporation, or AbbVie Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires.
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HUMIRA is also approved in over 60 other markets, including Japan, China, Brazil, and Australia.
HUMIRA was introduced to the market in January 2003. HUMIRA accounted for 63 percent of AbbVie’s total
net sales in 2014. The United States composition of matter (that is, compound) patent covering
adalimumab (which is sold under the trademark HUMIRA) is expected to expire in December 2016, and the
equivalent European Union patent is expected to expire in the majority of European Union countries in
April 2018.
AbbVie continues to dedicate substantial research and development efforts to expanding indications for
HUMIRA, including in the fields of rheumatology, gastroenterology (pediatric Crohn’s disease and
pediatric ulcerative colitis), dermatology (pediatric psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa), and
ophthalmology (uveitis). Phase 3 trials are ongoing in preparation for regulatory applications for uveitis in
the United States and the European Union. Regulatory applications for hidradenitis suppurativa have been
filed in the United States and the European Union. AbbVie continues to work on HUMIRA formulation and
delivery enhancements to improve convenience and the overall patient experience.
HCV products. VIEKIRA PAK is an all-oral, short-course, interferon-free therapy, with or without
ribavirin, for the treatment of adult patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (HCV), including those with
compensated cirrhosis. VIEKIRA PAK was approved by the FDA in December 2014. In Europe, AbbVie’s HCV
treatment is marketed as VIEKIRAX + EXVIERA and is approved for use in patients with genotype 1 and
genotype 4 HCV. The European Commission granted marketing authorization for this treatment in January
2015.
Additional Virology products. AbbVie’s additional virology products include Kaletra and Norvir for the
treatment of HIV infection and Synagis for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in
high risk infants.
Kaletra. Kaletra (also marketed as Aluvia in emerging markets) is a prescription anti-HIV-1
medicine that contains two protease inhibitors: lopinavir and ritonavir. Kaletra is used with other
anti-HIV-1 medications as a treatment that maintains viral suppression in people with HIV-1.
Norvir. Norvir (ritonavir) is a protease inhibitor that is indicated in combination with other
antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
Synagis.
Synagis is a product marketed by AbbVie outside of the United States that protects
at-risk infants from severe respiratory disease caused by RSV.
Metabolics/Hormones products. Metabolic and hormone products target a number of conditions,
including testosterone deficiency, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and hypothyroidism. These products
include:
AndroGel. AndroGel is a testosterone replacement therapy for males diagnosed with
symptomatic low testosterone that is available in two strengths: 1 percent and 1.62 percent.
Creon. Creon is a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition
that occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, and several other conditions.
Synthroid.
Synthroid is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism.
AbbVie has the rights to sell AndroGel, Creon and Synthroid only in the United States.
Endocrinology products.
Lupron (also marketed as Lucrin and Lupron Depot) is a product for the
palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, treatment of endometriosis and central precocious
puberty, and for the preoperative treatment of patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids. Lupron is
approved for daily subcutaneous injection and one-month, three-month, four-month and six-month
intramuscular injection.
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Other products. AbbVie’s other products include the following:
Duopa and Duodopa. AbbVie’s levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel for the treatment of advanced
Parkinson’s disease is marketed as Duopa in the United States and as Duodopa outside of the United
States.
Anesthesia products.
Sevoflurane (sold under the trademarks Ultane and Sevorane) is an
anesthesia product that AbbVie sells worldwide for human use.
Dyslipidemia products. AbbVie’s dyslipidemia products (TriCor, Trilipix, Niaspan, Simcor and
Advicor) address the range of metabolic conditions characterized by high cholesterol and/or high
triglycerides.
Zemplar.
Zemplar is a product sold worldwide for the treatment of secondary
hyperparathyroidism associated with Stage 3, 4, and 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Research and Development Activities
AbbVie has numerous compounds in clinical development, including potential treatments for complex,
life-threatening diseases. AbbVie’s ability to discover and develop new compounds is enhanced by the
company’s use of integrated discovery and development project teams, which include chemists, biologists,
physicians, and pharmacologists who work on the same compounds as a team.
The research and development process generally begins with discovery research which focuses on the
identification of a molecule that has a desired effect against a given disease. If preclinical testing of an
identified compound proves successful, the compound moves into clinical development which generally
includes the following phases:
• Phase 1—involves the first human tests in a small number of healthy volunteers or patients to
assess safety, tolerability and potential dosing.
• Phase 2—tests the drug’s efficacy against the disease in a relatively small group of patients.
• Phase 3—tests a drug that demonstrates favorable results in the earlier phases in a significantly
larger patient population to further demonstrate efficacy and safety based on regulatory criteria.
The clinical trials from all of the development phases provide the data required to prepare and submit
a New Drug Application (NDA), a Biological License Application (BLA) or other submission for regulatory
approval to the FDA or similar government agencies outside the United States. The specific requirements
(e.g., scope of clinical trials) for obtaining regulatory approval vary across different countries and geographic
regions.
The research and development process from discovery through a new drug launch typically takes 8 to
12 years and can be even longer. The research and development of new pharmaceutical products has a
significant amount of inherent uncertainty. There is no guarantee when, or if, a molecule will receive the
regulatory approval required to launch a new drug or indication.
In addition to the development of new products and new formulations, research and development
projects also may include Phase 4 trials, sometimes called post-marketing studies. For such projects, clinical
trials are designed and conducted to collect additional data regarding, among other parameters, the
benefits and risks of an approved drug.
AbbVie spent approximately $3.3 billion in 2014, $2.9 billion in 2013, and $2.8 billion in 2012 on
research to discover and develop new products, indications and processes and to improve existing products
and processes. These expenses consisted primarily of salaries and related expenses for personnel, license
fees, consulting payments, contract research, clinical drug supply manufacturing, the costs of laboratory
equipment and facilities, clinical trial costs, and collaboration fees and expenses.
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Intellectual Property Protection and Regulatory Exclusivity
Generally, upon approval, products may be entitled to certain kinds of exclusivity under applicable
intellectual property and regulatory regimes. AbbVie seeks patent protection, where available, in all
significant markets and/or countries for each product in development. In the United States, the expiration
date for patents filed on or after June 8, 1995 is 20 years after the filing date. Given that patents relating
to pharmaceutical products are often obtained early in the development process, and given the amount of
time needed to complete clinical trials and other development activities required for regulatory approval,
the length of time between product launch and patent expiration is significantly less than 20 years. The
Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (commonly known as the Hatch-Waxman
Act) permits a patent holder to seek a patent extension, commonly called a ‘‘patent term restoration,’’ for
patents on products (or processes for making the product) regulated by the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act. The length of the patent extension is roughly based on 50 percent of the period of time
from the filing of an Investigational New Drug Application for a compound to the submission of the NDA
for such compound, plus 100 percent of the time period from NDA submission to regulatory approval. The
extension, however, cannot exceed five years and the patent term remaining after regulatory approval
cannot exceed 14 years.
Pharmaceutical products may be entitled to other forms of legal or regulatory exclusivity upon
approval. The scope, length, and requirements for each of these exclusivities varies both in the United
States and in other jurisdictions. In the United States, if the FDA approves a drug product that contains an
active ingredient not previously approved, the product is typically entitled to five years of non-patent
regulatory exclusivity. Other products may be entitled to three years of exclusivity if approval was based on
the FDA’s reliance on new clinical studies essential to approval submitted by the NDA applicant. If the NDA
applicant studies the product for use by children, the FDA may grant pediatric exclusivity, which extends by
180 days the longest existing exclusivity (patent or regulatory) related to the product. For products that are
either used to treat conditions that afflict a relatively small population or for which there is not a
reasonable expectation that the research and development costs will be recovered, the FDA may designate
the pharmaceutical as an orphan drug and grant it seven years of market exclusivity.
Applicable laws and regulations dictate the scope of any exclusivity to which a product is entitled upon
its approval in any particular country. In certain instances, regulatory exclusivity may protect a product
where patent protection is no longer available or for a period of time in excess of patent protection. It is
not possible to estimate for each product in development the total period and scope of exclusivity to which
it may become entitled until regulatory approval is obtained. However, given the length of time required to
complete clinical development of a pharmaceutical product, the minimum and maximum periods of
exclusivity that might be achieved in any individual case would not be expected to exceed three and
14 years, respectively. These estimates do not consider other factors, such as the difficulty of recreating the
manufacturing process for a particular product or other proprietary knowledge that may delay the
introduction of a generic or other follow-on product after the expiration of applicable patent and other
regulatory exclusivity periods.
Biologics may be entitled to exclusivity under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act,
which was passed on March 23, 2010 as Title VII to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The
law provides a pathway for approval of biosimilars following the expiration of 12 years of exclusivity for the
innovator biologic and a potential additional 180 day-extension term for conducting pediatric studies.
Biologics are also eligible for orphan drug exclusivity, as discussed above. The law also includes an extensive
process for the innovator biologic and biosimilar manufacturer to litigate patent infringement, validity, and
enforceability prior to the approval of the biosimilar. The European Union has also created a pathway for
approval of biosimilars and has published guidelines for approval of certain biosimilar products. The more
complex nature of biologics and biosimilar products has led to greater regulatory scrutiny and more
rigorous requirements for approval of follow-on biosimilar products than for small molecule generic
pharmaceutical products, and in the European Union, it has also reduced the effect of biosimilars on sales
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of the innovator biologic as compared to the sales erosion caused by generic versions of small molecule
pharmaceutical products.
AbbVie owns or has licensed rights to a substantial number of patents and patent applications. AbbVie
licenses or owns a patent portfolio of thousands of patent families, each of which includes United States
patent applications and/or issued patents, and may also contain the non-United States counterparts to
these patents and applications.
These patents and applications, including various patents that expire during the period 2015 to 2035,
in aggregate are believed to be of material importance in the operation of AbbVie’s business. However,
AbbVie believes that no single patent, license, trademark (or related group of patents, licenses, or
trademarks), except for those related to adalimumab (which is sold under the trademark HUMIRA), are
material in relation to the company’s business as a whole. The United States composition of matter (that is,
compound) patent covering adalimumab is expected to expire in December 2016, and the equivalent
European Union patent is expected to expire in the majority of European Union countries in April 2018.
In addition, the following patents, licenses, and trademarks are significant: those related to lopinavir/
ritonavir (which is sold under the trademarks Kaletra and Aluvia), those related to ombitasvir/paritaprevir/
ritonavir and dasabuvir (which are sold under the trademarks VIEKIRA PAK, VIEKIRAX, EXVIERA, and
HOLKIRA PAK), and those related to testosterone (which is sold under the trademark AndroGel). The United
States composition of matter patent covering lopinavir is expected to expire in 2016. A principal United
States non-composition of matter patent covering lopinavir/ritonavir is expected to expire in 2016. The
United States composition of matter patents covering ombitasvir, paritaprevir and dasabuvir are expected to
expire in 2032, 2031 and 2029, respectively. The principal United States non-composition of matter patent
covering AndroGel 1 percent is expected to expire in 2021, including pediatric exclusivity. Agreements that
may affect exclusivity are discussed in Item 7, ‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations.’’
AbbVie may rely, in some circumstances, on trade secrets to protect its technology. However, trade
secrets are difficult to protect. AbbVie seeks to protect its technology and product candidates, in part, by
confidentiality agreements with its employees, consultants, advisors, contractors, and collaborators. These
agreements may be breached and AbbVie may not have adequate remedies for any breach. In addition,
AbbVie’s trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors. To
the extent that AbbVie’s employees, consultants, advisors, contractors, and collaborators use intellectual
property owned by others in their work for the company, disputes may arise as to the rights in related or
resulting know-how and inventions.
Marketing, Sales, and Distribution Capabilities
AbbVie utilizes a combination of dedicated commercial resources, regional commercial resources and
distributorships to market, sell, and distribute its products worldwide.
AbbVie directs its primary marketing efforts toward securing the prescription, or recommendation, of
its brand of products by physicians, key opinion leaders, and other health care providers. Managed care
providers (for example, health maintenance organizations and pharmacy benefit managers), hospitals, and
state and federal government agencies (for example, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and
the United States Department of Defense) are also important customers. AbbVie also markets directly to
consumers themselves, although in the United States all of the company’s products must be sold pursuant
to a prescription. Outside of the United States, AbbVie focuses its marketing efforts on key opinion leaders,
payors, physicians, and country regulatory bodies. AbbVie also provides patient support programs closely
related to its products.
In 2014, AbbVie’s products were sold in over 170 countries. AbbVie’s products are generally sold
worldwide directly to wholesalers, distributors, government agencies, health care facilities, specialty
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pharmacies, and independent retailers from AbbVie-owned distribution centers and public warehouses.
Although there are no significant seasonal aspects to AbbVie’s business, AbbVie’s product sales may be
affected by end customer and retail buying patterns, fluctuations in wholesaler inventory levels, and other
factors.
In the United States, AbbVie distributes pharmaceutical products principally through independent
wholesale distributors, with some sales directly to pharmacies and patients. In 2014, three wholesale
distributors (McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., and AmerisourceBergen Corporation) accounted
for substantially all of AbbVie’s sales in the United States. No individual wholesaler accounted for greater
than 42 percent of AbbVie’s 2014 gross sales in the United States. Outside the United States, sales are
made either directly to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served. These
wholesalers purchase product from AbbVie under standard terms and conditions of sale.
Certain products are co-marketed or co-promoted with other companies. AbbVie has no single
customer that, if the customer were lost, would have a material adverse effect on the company’s business.
No material portion of AbbVie’s business is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of
contracts at the election of the government.
Orders are generally filled on a current basis, and order backlog is not material to AbbVie’s business.
Third Party Agreements
AbbVie has agreements with third parties for process development, analytical services, and
manufacturing of certain products. AbbVie procures certain products and services from a limited number of
suppliers and, in some cases, a single supply source. For example, the filling and packaging of HUMIRA
syringes to be sold outside of the United States and Puerto Rico is performed by a single supplier at its two
different facilities. AbbVie does not currently believe that this agreement is material because AbbVie’s
business is not substantially dependent upon it. AbbVie maintains significant inventory of HUMIRA syringes
to reduce the risk of any supply disruption and its own syringe-filling and packaging facility in the United
States is approved to supply syringes to primary markets outside of the United States and Puerto Rico. In
addition, AbbVie has agreements with third parties for active pharmaceutical ingredient and product
manufacturing, formulation and development services, fill, finish, and packaging services, transportation,
and distribution and logistics services for certain products. AbbVie does not believe that these
manufacturing related agreements are material because AbbVie’s business is not substantially dependent on
any individual agreement. In most cases, AbbVie maintains alternate supply relationships that it can utilize
without undue disruption of its manufacturing processes if a third party fails to perform its contractual
obligations. AbbVie also maintains sufficient inventory of product to minimize the impact of any supply
disruption.
AbbVie is also party to certain collaborations and other arrangements, as discussed in Note 6,
‘‘Acquisitions, Collaborations and Other Arrangements,’’ of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,’’ and has certain agreements with
Abbott as discussed in Item 7, ‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations—Transition from Abbott and Cost to Operate as an Independent Company.’’
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
AbbVie purchases, in the ordinary course of business, raw materials and supplies essential to its
operations from numerous suppliers around the world, including in the United States. In addition, certain
medical devices and components necessary for the manufacture of our products are provided by
unaffiliated third party suppliers. AbbVie has not experienced any recent significant availability problems or
supply shortages for forecasted sales.
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Environmental Matters
AbbVie believes that its operations comply in all material respects with applicable laws and regulations
concerning environmental protection. Regulations under federal and state environmental laws impose
stringent limitations on emissions and discharges to the environment from various manufacturing
operations. AbbVie’s capital and operating expenditures for pollution control in 2014 were approximately
$3 million and $26 million, respectively. Capital and operating expenditures for pollution control in 2015 are
estimated to be approximately $4 million and $28 million, respectively.
Abbott was identified as one of many potentially responsible parties in investigations and/or
remediations at several locations in the United States, including Puerto Rico, under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund. Some of these
locations were transferred to AbbVie in connection with the separation and distribution, and AbbVie has
become a party to these investigations and remediations. Abbott was also engaged in remediation at
several other sites, some of which have been transferred to AbbVie in connection with the separation and
distribution, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency or similar agencies. While it is not
feasible to predict with certainty the final costs related to those investigations and remediation activities,
AbbVie believes that such costs, together with other expenditures to maintain compliance with applicable
laws and regulations concerning environmental protection, should not have a material adverse effect on the
company’s financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.
Competition
The markets for AbbVie’s products are highly competitive. AbbVie competes with other research-based
pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies that discover, manufacture, market, and sell proprietary
pharmaceutical products and biologics. For example, HUMIRA competes with a number of anti-TNF and
other products that are approved for a number of disease states and AbbVie’s virology products compete
with protease inhibitors and other anti-HIV treatments. The search for technological innovations in
pharmaceutical products is a significant aspect of competition. The introduction of new products by
competitors and changes in medical practices and procedures can result in product obsolescence. Price is
also a competitive factor. In addition, the substitution of generic pharmaceutical products for branded
pharmaceutical products creates competitive pressures on AbbVie’s products that do not have patent
protection.
Biosimilars. Competition for AbbVie’s biologic products is affected by the approval of follow-on
biologics, also known as ‘‘biosimilars.’’ Biologics have added major therapeutic options for the treatment of
many diseases, including some for which therapies were unavailable or inadequate. The advent of biologics
has also raised complex regulatory issues and significant pharmacoeconomic concerns because the cost of
developing and producing biologic therapies is typically dramatically higher than for conventional (small
molecule) medications, and because many expensive biologic medications are used for ongoing treatment
of chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, or for the treatment of
previously untreatable cancer. Significant investments in biologics infrastructure and manufacturing are
necessary to produce biologic products, as are significant investments in marketing, distribution, and sales
organization activities, which may limit the number of biosimilar competitors.
In the United States, the FDA regulates biologics under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the
Public Health Service Act, and implementing regulations. The enactment of federal health care reform
legislation in March 2010 provided a pathway for approval of biosimilars under the Public Health Service
Act, but the approval process for, and science behind, biosimilars is more complex than the approval
process for, and science behind, generic or other follow-on versions of small molecule products. This added
complexity is due to steps needed to ensure that the safety and efficacy of biosimilars is highly similar to
that of an original biologic, such as HUMIRA. Ultimate approval by the FDA is dependent upon many
factors, including a showing that the biosimilar is ‘‘highly similar’’ to the original product and has no
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clinically meaningful differences from the original product in terms of safety, purity, potency, and in vitro
characterization. The types of data that could ordinarily be required in an application to show similarity
may include analytical data and studies to demonstrate chemical similarity, animal studies (including toxicity
studies), and clinical studies. The law also requires that the biosimilar must be for an indication approved
for the original biologic and that the manufacturing facility meets the standards necessary to assure that
the biosimilar is safe, pure, and potent.
Furthermore, the new law provides that only a biosimilar product that is deemed to be
‘‘interchangeable’’ will be considered by the FDA to be substitutable for the original biologic product
without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed the original biologic product. To prove
that a biosimilar product is interchangeable, the applicant must demonstrate that the product can be
expected to produce the same clinical results as the original biologic product in any given patient, and if
the product is administered more than once in a patient, that safety risks and potential for diminished
efficacy of alternating or switching between the use of the interchangeable biosimilar biologic product and
the original biologic product is no greater than the risk of using the original biologic product without
switching. The new law is only beginning to be interpreted and implemented by the FDA. As a result, its
ultimate impact, implementation, and meaning will likely be subject to substantial uncertainty for years to
come.
In the European Union, while a pathway for the approval of biosimilars has existed since 2005, the
products that have come to market to date have had a mixed impact on the market share of incumbent
products, with significant variation by product.
Other Competitive Products. Although a number of competitive biologic branded products have been
approved since HUMIRA was first introduced in 2003, most have gained only a modest share of the
worldwide market. AbbVie will continue to face competitive pressure from these biologics and from orally
administered products.
Regulation—Discovery and Clinical Development
United States.
Securing approval to market a new pharmaceutical product in the United States
requires substantial effort and financial resources and takes several years to complete. The applicant must
complete preclinical tests, and obtain FDA approval before commencing clinical trials. Clinical trials are
intended to establish the safety and efficacy of the pharmaceutical product and typically are conducted in
three sequential phases, although the phases may overlap or be combined. If the required clinical testing is
successful, the results are submitted to the FDA in the form of an NDA or BLA requesting approval to
market the product for one or more indications. The FDA reviews an NDA or BLA to determine whether a
product is safe and effective for its intended use and whether its manufacturing is compliant with current
Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
Even if an NDA or a BLA receives approval, the applicant must comply with post-approval
requirements. For example, holders of an approval must report adverse reactions, provide updated safety
and efficacy information, and comply with requirements concerning advertising and promotional labeling.
Also, quality control and manufacturing procedures must continue to conform to cGMP after approval. The
FDA periodically inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMP, which imposes extensive
procedural, substantive, and record keeping requirements. In addition, as a condition of approval, the FDA
may require post-marketing testing and surveillance to further assess and monitor the product’s safety or
efficacy after commercialization. Any post-approval regulatory obligations, and the cost of complying with
such obligations, could expand in the future.
Outside the United States. AbbVie is subject to similar regulations outside the United States. AbbVie
must obtain approval of a clinical trial application or product from the applicable regulatory authorities
before it can commence clinical trials or marketing of the product. The approval requirements and process
vary, and the time required to obtain approval may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA
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approval. For example, AbbVie may submit marketing authorizations in the European Union under either a
centralized or decentralized procedure. The centralized procedure is mandatory for the approval of
biotechnology products and many pharmaceutical products and provides for a single marketing
authorization that is valid for all European Union member states. Under the centralized procedure, a single
marketing authorization application is submitted to the European Medicines Agency. After the agency
evaluates the application, it makes a recommendation to the European Commission, which then makes the
final determination on whether to approve the application. The decentralized procedure provides for mutual
recognition of national approval decisions and is available for products that are not subject to the
centralized procedure.
In Japan, applications for approval of a new product are made through the Pharmaceutical and
Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Bridging studies to demonstrate that the foreign clinical data applies to
Japanese patients may be required. After completing a comprehensive review, the PMDA reports to the
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which then approves or denies the application.
The regulatory process in many emerging markets continues to evolve. Many emerging markets,
including those in Asia, generally require regulatory approval to have been obtained in a large developed
market (such as the United States) before the country will begin or complete its regulatory review process.
Some countries also require that local clinical studies be conducted in order to obtain regulatory approval
in the country.
The requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials and product licensing also vary. In addition,
post-approval regulatory obligations such as adverse event reporting and cGMP compliance generally apply
and may vary by country. For example, after a marketing authorization has been granted in the European
Union, periodic safety reports must be submitted and other pharmacovigilance measures must be
implemented.
Regulation—Commercialization, Distribution, and Manufacturing
The manufacture, marketing, sale, promotion, and distribution of AbbVie’s products are subject to
comprehensive government regulation. Government regulation by various national, regional, federal, state,
and local agencies, both in the United States and other countries, addresses (among other matters)
inspection of, and controls over, research and laboratory procedures, clinical investigations, product
approvals and manufacturing, labeling, packaging, marketing and promotion, pricing and reimbursement,
sampling, distribution, quality control, post-marketing surveillance, record keeping, storage, and disposal
practices. AbbVie’s operations are also affected by trade regulations in many countries that limit the import
of raw materials and finished products and by laws and regulations that seek to prevent corruption and
bribery in the marketplace (including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United
Kingdom Bribery Act, which provide guidance on corporate interactions with government officials) and
require safeguards for the protection of personal data. In addition, AbbVie is subject to laws and
regulations pertaining to health care fraud and abuse, including state and federal anti-kickback and false
claims laws in the United States. Prescription drug manufacturers such as AbbVie are also subject to taxes,
as well as application, product, user, establishment, and other fees.
Compliance with these laws and regulations is costly and materially affects AbbVie’s business. Among
other effects, health care regulations substantially increase the time, difficulty, and costs incurred in
obtaining and maintaining approval to market newly developed and existing products. AbbVie expects
compliance with these regulations to continue to require significant technical expertise and capital
investment to ensure compliance. Failure to comply can delay the release of a new product or result in
regulatory and enforcement actions, the seizure or recall of a product, the suspension or revocation of the
authority necessary for a product’s production and sale, and other civil or criminal sanctions, including fines
and penalties.
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In addition to regulatory initiatives, AbbVie’s business can be affected by ongoing studies of the
utilization, safety, efficacy, and outcomes of health care products and their components that are regularly
conducted by industry participants, government agencies, and others. These studies can call into question
the utilization, safety, and efficacy of previously marketed products. In some cases, these studies have
resulted, and may in the future result, in the discontinuance of, or limitations on, marketing of such
products domestically or worldwide, and may give rise to claims for damages from persons who believe
they have been injured as a result of their use.
Access to human health care products continues to be a subject of investigation and action by
governmental agencies, legislative bodies, and private organizations in the United States and other
countries. A major focus is cost containment. Efforts to reduce health care costs are also being made in the
private sector, notably by health care payors and providers, which have instituted various cost reduction
and containment measures. AbbVie expects insurers and providers to continue attempts to reduce the cost
of health care products. Outside the United States, many countries control the price of health care products
directly or indirectly, through reimbursement, payment, pricing, coverage limitations, or compulsory
licensing. Budgetary pressures in the United States and in other countries may also heighten the scope and
severity of pricing pressures on AbbVie’s products for the foreseeable future.
United States.
Specifically, U.S. federal laws require pharmaceuticals manufacturers to pay certain
statutorily-prescribed rebates to state Medicaid programs on prescription drugs reimbursed under state
Medicaid plans, and the efforts by states to seek additional rebates affect AbbVie’s business. Similarly, the
Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, as a prerequisite to participation in Medicaid and other federal health
care programs, requires that manufacturers extend additional discounts on pharmaceutical products to
various federal agencies, including the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of
Defense, and Public Health Service entities and institutions. In addition, recent legislative changes would
require similarly discounted prices to be offered to TRICARE program beneficiaries. The Veterans Health
Care Act of 1992 also established the 340B drug discount program, which requires pharmaceuticals
manufacturers to provide products at reduced prices to various designated health care entities and facilities.
In the United States, most states also have generic substitution legislation requiring or permitting a
dispensing pharmacist to substitute a different manufacturer’s generic version of a pharmaceutical product
for the one prescribed. In addition, the federal government follows a diagnosis-related group (DRG)
payment system for certain institutional services provided under Medicare or Medicaid and has
implemented a prospective payment system (PPS) for services delivered in hospital outpatient, nursing
home, and home health settings. DRG and PPS entitle a health care facility to a fixed reimbursement based
on the diagnosis and/or procedure rather than actual costs incurred in patient treatment, thereby
increasing the incentive for the facility to limit or control expenditures for many health care products.
Medicare reimburses Part B drugs based on average sales price plus a certain percentage to account for
physician administration costs, which have recently been reduced in the hospital outpatient setting. End
stage renal disease treatment is covered through a bundled payment that likewise creates incentives for
providers to demand lower pharmaceutical prices. Medicare enters into contracts with private plans to
negotiate prices for most patient-administered medicine delivered under Part D.
In March 2010, Congress enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care
and Education Reconciliation Act (together, the Affordable Care Act). Under the Affordable Care Act, AbbVie
pays a fee related to its pharmaceuticals sales to government programs. Also in 2011, AbbVie began
providing a discount of 50 percent for branded prescription drugs sold to patients who fall into the
Medicare Part D coverage gap, or ‘‘donut hole.’’
The Affordable Care Act also includes provisions known as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which
require manufacturers of drugs and biologics covered under Medicare and Medicaid starting in 2012 to
record any transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals and to report this data beginning in 2013
to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for subsequent public disclosure. Similar reporting
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requirements have also been enacted on the state level in the United States, and an increasing number of
countries worldwide either have adopted or are considering similar laws requiring disclosure of interactions
with health care professionals. Failure to report appropriate data may result in civil or criminal fines and/or
penalties.
AbbVie expects debate to continue during 2015 at all government levels worldwide over the
marketing, availability, method of delivery, and payment for health care products and services. AbbVie
believes that future legislation and regulation in the markets it serves could affect access to health care
products and services, increase rebates, reduce prices or the rate of price increases for health care
products and services, change health care delivery systems, create new fees and obligations for the
pharmaceuticals industry, or require additional reporting and disclosure. It is not possible to predict the
extent to which AbbVie or the health care industry in general might be affected by the matters discussed
above.
AbbVie is subject to a Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) entered into by Abbott on May 7, 2012
that requires enhancements to AbbVie’s compliance program and contains reporting obligations, including
disclosure of financial payments to doctors. If AbbVie fails to comply with the CIA, the Office of Inspector
General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services may impose monetary penalties
or exclude AbbVie from federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
European Union.
The European Union has adopted directives and other legislation governing labeling,
advertising, distribution, supply, pharmacovigilance, and marketing of pharmaceutical products. Such
legislation provides mandatory standards throughout the European Union and permits member states to
supplement these standards with additional regulations. European governments also regulate
pharmaceutical product prices through their control of national health care systems that fund a large part
of the cost of such products to consumers. As a result, patients are unlikely to use a pharmaceutical
product that is not reimbursed by the government. In many European countries, the government either
regulates the pricing of a new product at launch or subsequent to launch through direct price controls or
reference pricing. In recent years, many countries have also imposed new or additional cost containment
measures on pharmaceutical products. Differences between national pricing regimes create price
differentials within the European Union that can lead to significant parallel trade in pharmaceutical
products.
Most governments also promote generic substitution by mandating or permitting a pharmacist to
substitute a different manufacturer’s generic version of a pharmaceutical product for the one prescribed
and by permitting or mandating that health care professionals prescribe generic versions in certain
circumstances. In addition, governments use reimbursement lists to limit the pharmaceutical products that
are eligible for reimbursement by national health care systems.
Japan.
In Japan, the National Health Insurance system maintains a Drug Price List specifying which
pharmaceutical products are eligible for reimbursement, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
sets the prices of the products on this list. The government generally introduces price cut rounds every
other year and also mandates price decreases for specific products. New products judged innovative or
useful, that are indicated for pediatric use, or that target orphan or small population diseases, however,
may be eligible for a pricing premium. The government has also promoted the use of generics, where
available.
Emerging Markets. Many emerging markets take steps to reduce pharmaceutical product prices, in
some cases through direct price controls and in others through the promotion of generic alternatives to
branded pharmaceuticals.
Since AbbVie markets its products worldwide, certain products of a local nature and variations of
product lines must also meet other local regulatory requirements. Certain additional risks are inherent in
conducting business outside the United States, including price and currency exchange controls, changes in
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currency exchange rates, limitations on participation in local enterprises, expropriation, nationalization, and
other governmental action.
Employees
AbbVie employed approximately 26,000 persons as of January 31, 2015. Outside the United States,
some of AbbVie’s employees are represented by unions or works councils. AbbVie believes that it has good
relations with its employees.
Internet Information
Copies of AbbVie’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on
Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through AbbVie’s investor relations website
(www.abbvieinvestor.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after AbbVie electronically files the material
with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AbbVie’s corporate governance guidelines, outline of directorship qualifications, code of business
conduct and the charters of AbbVie’s audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and
governance committee, and public policy committee are all available on AbbVie’s investor relations website
(www.abbvieinvestor.com).
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this Form 10-K in evaluating
AbbVie and AbbVie’s common stock. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect
AbbVie’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The risk factors generally have been
separated into three groups: risks related to AbbVie’s business, risks related to AbbVie’s separation from
Abbott and risks related to AbbVie’s common stock. Based on the information currently known to it, AbbVie
believes that the following information identifies the most significant risk factors affecting it in each of
these categories of risks. However, the risks and uncertainties AbbVie faces are not limited to those set forth
in the risk factors described below and may not be in order of importance or probability of occurrence.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to AbbVie or that AbbVie currently believes to be
immaterial may also adversely affect its business. In addition, past financial performance may not be a
reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or
trends in future periods.
If any of the following risks and uncertainties develops into actual events, these events could have a
material adverse effect on AbbVie’s business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In such
case, the trading price of AbbVie’s common stock could decline.
Risks Related to AbbVie’s Business
The expiration or loss of patent protection and licenses may adversely affect AbbVie’s future
revenues and operating earnings.
AbbVie relies on patent, trademark and other intellectual property protection in the discovery,
development, manufacturing, and sale of its products. In particular, patent protection is, in the aggregate,
important in AbbVie’s marketing of pharmaceutical products in the United States and most major markets
outside of the United States. Patents covering AbbVie products normally provide market exclusivity, which is
important for the profitability of many of AbbVie’s products.
As patents for certain of its products expire, AbbVie will or could face competition from lower priced
generic products. The expiration or loss of patent protection for a product typically is followed promptly by
substitutes that may significantly reduce sales for that product in a short amount of time. If AbbVie’s
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competitive position is compromised because of generics or otherwise, it could have a material adverse
effect on AbbVie’s business and results of operations. In addition, proposals emerge from time to time for
legislation to further encourage the early and rapid approval of generic drugs. Any such proposals that are
enacted into law could increase the impact of generic competition.
AbbVie’s principal patents and trademarks are described in greater detail in Item 1, ‘‘Business—
Intellectual Property Protection and Regulatory Exclusivity’’ and Item 7, ‘‘Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations,’’ and litigation regarding
these patents is described in Item 3, ‘‘Legal Proceedings.’’ The United States composition of matter patent
for HUMIRA, which is AbbVie’s largest selling product and had worldwide net sales of approximately
$12.5 billion in 2014, is expected to expire in December 2016, and the equivalent European Union patent is
expected to expire in the majority of European Union countries in April 2018. Because HUMIRA is a biologic
and biologics cannot be readily substituted, it is uncertain what impact the loss of patent protection would
have on the sales of HUMIRA.
AbbVie’s major products could lose patent protection earlier than expected, which could adversely
affect AbbVie’s future revenues and operating earnings.
Third parties or government authorities may challenge or seek to invalidate or circumvent AbbVie’s
patents and patent applications. For example, manufacturers of generic pharmaceutical products file, and
may continue to file, Abbreviated New Drug Applications with the FDA seeking to market generic forms of
AbbVie’s products prior to the expiration of relevant patents owned or licensed by AbbVie by asserting that
the patents are invalid, unenforceable and/or not infringed.
Although most of the challenges to AbbVie’s intellectual property have come from other businesses,
governments may also challenge intellectual property rights. For example, court decisions and potential
legislation relating to patents, such as legislation regarding biosimilars, and other regulatory initiatives may
result in further erosion of intellectual property protection. In addition, certain governments outside the
United States have indicated that compulsory licenses to patents may be sought to further their domestic
policies or on the basis of national emergencies, such as HIV/AIDS. If triggered, compulsory licenses could
diminish or eliminate sales and profits from those jurisdictions and negatively affect AbbVie’s results of
operations.
AbbVie normally responds to challenges by vigorously defending its patents, including by filing patent
infringement lawsuits. Patent litigation and other challenges to AbbVie’s patents are costly and
unpredictable and may deprive AbbVie of market exclusivity for a patented product. To the extent AbbVie’s
intellectual property is successfully challenged or circumvented or to the extent such intellectual property
does not allow AbbVie to compete effectively, AbbVie’s business will suffer. To the extent that countries do
not enforce AbbVie’s intellectual property rights or require compulsory licensing of AbbVie’s intellectual
property, AbbVie’s future revenues and operating income will be reduced.
A third party’s intellectual property may prevent AbbVie from selling its products or have a material
adverse effect on AbbVie’s future profitability and financial condition.
Third parties may claim that an AbbVie product infringes upon their intellectual property. Resolving an
intellectual property infringement claim can be costly and time consuming and may require AbbVie to enter
into license agreements. AbbVie cannot guarantee that it would be able to obtain license agreements on
commercially reasonable terms. A successful claim of patent or other intellectual property infringement
could subject AbbVie to significant damages or an injunction preventing the manufacture, sale, or use of
the affected AbbVie product or products. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on
AbbVie’s profitability and financial condition.
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Any significant event that adversely affects HUMIRA revenues could have a material and negative
impact on AbbVie’s results of operations and cash flows.
HUMIRA accounted for approximately 63 percent of AbbVie’s total net sales in 2014. Any significant
event that adversely affects HUMIRA’s revenues could have a material adverse impact on AbbVie’s results of
operations and cash flows. These events could include loss of patent protection for HUMIRA, the approval
of biosimilars of HUMIRA, the discovery of previously unknown side effects or impaired efficacy, increased
competition from the introduction of new, more effective or less expensive treatments, and discontinuation
or removal from the market of HUMIRA for any reason.
AbbVie’s research and development efforts may not succeed in developing and marketing
commercially successful products and technologies, which may cause its revenues and profitability to
decline.
To remain competitive, AbbVie must continue to launch new products and new indications and/or
brand extensions for existing products, and such launches must generate revenue sufficient both to cover
its substantial research and development costs and to replace sales of profitable products that are lost to
or displaced by competing products or therapies. Failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on
AbbVie’s revenue and profitability. Accordingly, AbbVie commits substantial effort, funds, and other
resources to research and development and must make ongoing substantial expenditures without any
assurance that its efforts will be commercially successful. A high rate of failure in the biopharmaceutical
industry is inherent in the research and development of new products, and failure can occur at any point in
the research and development process, including after significant funds have been invested. Products that
appear promising in development may fail to reach the market for numerous reasons, including failure to
demonstrate effectiveness, safety concerns, superior safety or efficacy of competing therapies, failure to
achieve positive clinical or pre-clinical outcomes beyond the current standards of care, inability to obtain
necessary regulatory approvals or delays in the approval of new products and new indications, limited
scope of approved uses, excessive costs to manufacture, the failure to obtain or maintain intellectual
property rights, or infringement of the intellectual property rights of others.
Decisions about research studies made early in the development process of a pharmaceutical product
candidate can affect the marketing strategy once such candidate receives approval. More detailed studies
may demonstrate additional benefits that can help in the marketing, but they also consume time and
resources and may delay submitting the pharmaceutical product candidate for approval. AbbVie cannot
guarantee that a proper balance of speed and testing will be made with respect to each pharmaceutical
product candidate or that decisions in this area would not adversely affect AbbVie’s future results of
operations.
Even if AbbVie successfully develops and markets new products or enhancements to its existing
products, they may be quickly rendered obsolete by changing clinical preferences, changing industry
standards, or competitors’ innovations. AbbVie’s innovations may not be accepted quickly in the
marketplace because of existing clinical practices or uncertainty over third-party reimbursement. AbbVie
cannot state with certainty when or whether any of its products under development will be launched,
whether it will be able to develop, license, or otherwise acquire compounds or products, or whether any
products will be commercially successful. Failure to launch successful new products or new indications for
existing products may cause AbbVie’s products to become obsolete, causing AbbVie’s revenues and
operating results to suffer.
A portion of AbbVie’s near-term pharmaceutical pipeline relies on collaborations with third parties,
which may adversely affect the development and sale of its products.
AbbVie depends on alliances with pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies for a portion of the
products in its near-term pharmaceutical pipeline. For example, AbbVie is collaborating with Biogen Idec to
develop a treatment for the relapsing remitting form of multiple sclerosis. It is also collaborating with
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Roche Holding AG to discover, develop, and commercialize a next-generation Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-199, for
patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Failures by these parties to meet their contractual, regulatory, or other obligations to AbbVie, or any
disruption in the relationships between AbbVie and these third parties, could have an adverse effect on
AbbVie’s pharmaceutical pipeline and business. In addition, AbbVie’s collaborative relationships for research
and development extend for many years and may give rise to disputes regarding the relative rights,
obligations and revenues of AbbVie and its collaboration partners, including the ownership of intellectual
property and associated rights and obligations. This could result in the loss of intellectual property rights or
protection, delay the development and sale of potential pharmaceutical products, and lead to lengthy and
expensive litigation or arbitration.
Biologics carry unique risks and uncertainties, which could have a negative impact on future results
of operations.
The successful discovery, development, manufacturing and sale of biologics is a long, expensive and
uncertain process. There are unique risks and uncertainties with biologics. For example, access to and
supply of necessary biological materials, such as cell lines, may be limited, and governmental regulations
restrict access to and regulate the transport and use of such materials. In addition, the development,
manufacturing, and sale of biologics is subject to regulations that are often more complex and extensive
than the regulations applicable to other pharmaceutical products. Manufacturing biologics, especially in
large quantities, is often complex and may require the use of innovative technologies. Such manufacturing
also requires facilities specifically designed and validated for this purpose and sophisticated quality
assurance and quality control procedures. Biologics are also frequently costly to manufacture because
production inputs are derived from living animal or plant material, and some biologics cannot be made
synthetically. Failure to successfully discover, develop, manufacture and sell biologics—including HUMIRA—
could adversely impact AbbVie’s business and results of operations.
AbbVie’s biologic products may become subject to competition from biosimilars.
The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act was passed on March 23, 2010 as Title VII to the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The law created a framework for the approval of biosimilars in
the United States and could allow competitors to reference data from biologic products already approved.
In Europe, the European Commission has granted marketing authorizations for several biosimilars pursuant
to a set of general and product class-specific guidelines for biosimilar approvals issued over the past few
years. In addition, companies are developing biosimilars in other countries that could compete with
AbbVie’s biologic products. If competitors are able to obtain marketing approval for biosimilars referencing
AbbVie’s biologic products, AbbVie’s products may become subject to competition from such biosimilars,
with the attendant competitive pressure and consequences. Expiration or successful challenge of AbbVie’s
applicable patent rights could also trigger competition from other products, assuming any relevant
exclusivity period has expired. As a result, AbbVie could face more litigation with respect to the validity
and/or scope of patents relating to its biologic products.
New products and technological advances by AbbVie’s competitors may negatively affect AbbVie’s
results of operations.
AbbVie competes with other research-based pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies that
discover, manufacture, market, and sell proprietary pharmaceutical products and biologics. For example,
HUMIRA competes with a number of anti-TNF products that are approved for a number of disease states
and AbbVie’s virology products compete with protease inhibitors and other anti-HIV treatments. These
competitors may introduce new products or develop technological advances that compete with AbbVie’s
products in therapeutic areas such as immunology, virology/liver disease, renal disease, dyslipidemia, and
neuroscience. AbbVie cannot predict with certainty the timing or impact of the introduction by competitors
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of new products or technological advances. Such competing products may be safer, more effective, more
effectively marketed or sold, or have lower prices or superior performance features than AbbVie’s products,
and this could negatively impact AbbVie’s business and results of operations.
The manufacture of many of AbbVie’s products is a highly exacting and complex process, and if
AbbVie or one of its suppliers encounters problems manufacturing AbbVie’s products, AbbVie’s business
could suffer.
The manufacture of many of AbbVie’s products is a highly exacting and complex process, due in part
to strict regulatory requirements. Problems may arise during manufacturing for a variety of reasons,
including equipment malfunction, failure to follow specific protocols and procedures, problems with raw
materials, delays related to the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities, including
those intended to support future demand for AbbVie’s products, changes in manufacturing production sites
and limits to manufacturing capacity due to regulatory requirements, changes in the types of products
produced, physical limitations that could inhibit continuous supply, man-made or natural disasters, and
environmental factors. If problems arise during the production of a batch of product, that batch of product
may have to be discarded and AbbVie may experience product shortages or incur added expenses. This
could, among other things, lead to increased costs, lost revenue, damage to customer relations, time and
expense spent investigating the cause and, depending on the cause, similar losses with respect to other
batches or products. If problems are not discovered before the product is released to the market, recall
and product liability costs may also be incurred.
AbbVie uses a number of products in its pharmaceutical and biologic manufacturing processes that
are sourced from single suppliers, and an interruption in the supply of those products could adversely
affect AbbVie’s business and results of operations.
AbbVie uses a number of products in its pharmaceutical and biologic manufacturing processes that are
sourced from single suppliers. The failure of these single-source suppliers to fulfill their contractual
obligations in a timely manner or as a result of regulatory noncompliance or physical disruption at a
manufacturing site may impair AbbVie’s ability to deliver its products to customers on a timely and
competitive basis, which could adversely affect AbbVie’s business and results of operations. Finding an
alternative supplier could take a significant amount of time and involve significant expense due to the
nature of the products and the need to obtain regulatory approvals. AbbVie cannot guarantee that it will
be able to reach agreement with alternative providers or that regulatory authorities would approve
AbbVie’s use of such alternatives. AbbVie does, however, carry business interruption insurance, which
provides a degree of protection in the case of a failure by a single-source supplier.
Significant safety or efficacy issues could arise for AbbVie’s products, which could have a material
adverse effect on AbbVie’s revenues and financial condition.
Pharmaceutical products receive regulatory approval based on data obtained in controlled clinical trials
of limited duration. Following regulatory approval, these products will be used over longer periods of time
in many patients. Investigators may also conduct additional, and perhaps more extensive, studies. If new
safety or efficacy issues are reported or if new scientific information becomes available (including results of
post-marketing Phase 4 trials), or if governments change standards regarding safety, efficacy or labeling,
AbbVie may be required to amend the conditions of use for a product. For example, AbbVie may
voluntarily provide or be required to provide updated information on a product’s label or narrow its
approved indication, either of which could reduce the product’s market acceptance. If safety or efficacy
issues with an AbbVie product arise, sales of the product could be halted by AbbVie or by regulatory
authorities. Safety or efficacy issues affecting suppliers’ or competitors’ products also may reduce the
market acceptance of AbbVie’s products.
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New data about AbbVie’s products, or products similar to its products, could negatively impact demand
for AbbVie’s products due to real or perceived safety issues or uncertainty regarding efficacy and, in some
cases, could result in product withdrawal. Furthermore, new data and information, including information
about product misuse, may lead government agencies, professional societies, practice management groups
or organizations involved with various diseases to publish guidelines or recommendations related to the use
of AbbVie’s products or the use of related therapies or place restrictions on sales. Such guidelines or
recommendations may lead to lower sales of AbbVie’s products.
AbbVie is subject to product liability claims and lawsuits that may adversely affect its business and
results of operations.
In the ordinary course of business, AbbVie is the subject of product liability claims and lawsuits
alleging that AbbVie’s products or the products of other companies that it promotes have resulted or could
result in an unsafe condition for or injury to patients. Product liability claims and lawsuits and safety alerts
or product recalls, regardless of their ultimate outcome, may have a material adverse effect on AbbVie’s
business and reputation and on its ability to attract and retain customers. Consequences may also include
additional costs, a decrease in market share for the product in question, lower income and exposure to
other claims. Product liability losses are self-insured. Product liability claims could have a material adverse
effect on AbbVie’s business and results of operations.
AbbVie is subject to cost-containment efforts and pricing pressures that could cause a reduction in
future revenues and operating earnings, and changes in the terms of rebate and chargeback programs,
which are common in the pharmaceuticals industry, could have a material adverse effect on AbbVie’s
operations.
Cost-containment efforts by governments and private organizations are described in greater detail in
Item 1, ‘‘Business—Regulation—Commercialization, Distribution, and Manufacturing.’’ To the extent these
cost containment efforts are not offset by greater demand, increased patient access to health care, or other
factors, AbbVie’s future revenues and operating earnings will be reduced. In the United States, the
European Union and other countries, AbbVie’s business has experienced downward pressure on product
pricing, and this pressure could increase in the future.
In the United States, practices of managed care groups and institutional and governmental purchasers
and United States federal laws and regulations related to Medicare and Medicaid, including the Medicare
Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 and the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act, contribute to pricing pressures. Recently enacted changes to the health care system in the United
States and the increased purchasing power of entities that negotiate on behalf of Medicare, Medicaid, and
private sector beneficiaries could result in additional pricing pressures.
In numerous major markets worldwide, the government plays a significant role in funding health care
services and determining the pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products. Consequently, in those
markets, AbbVie is subject to government decision-making and budgetary actions with respect to its
products. In particular, many European countries have ongoing government-mandated price reductions for
many pharmaceutical products, and AbbVie anticipates continuing pricing pressures in Europe. Differences
between countries in pricing regulations could lead to third-party cross-border trading in AbbVie’s products
that results in a reduction in future revenues and operating earnings.
Rebates related to government programs, such as fee-for-service Medicaid or Medicaid managed care
programs, arise from laws and regulations. AbbVie cannot predict if additional government initiatives to
contain health care costs or other factors could lead to new or modified regulatory requirements that
include higher or incremental rebates or discounts. Other rebate and discount programs arise from
contractual agreements with private payers. Various factors, including market factors and the ability of
2014 Form 10-K
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17
private payers to control patient access to products, may provide payers the leverage to negotiate higher or
additional rebates or discounts that could have a material adverse effect on AbbVie’s operations.
AbbVie is subject to numerous governmental regulations, and it can be costly to comply with these
regulations and to develop compliant products and processes.
AbbVie’s products are subject to rigorous regulation by numerous international, supranational, federal,
and state authorities, as described in Item 1, ‘‘Business—Regulation—Discovery and Clinical Development.’’
The process of obtaining regulatory approvals to market a pharmaceutical product can be costly and time
consuming, and approvals might not be granted for future products, or additional indications or uses of
existing products, on a timely basis, if at all. Delays in the receipt of, or failure to obtain approvals for,
future products, or new indications and uses, could result in delayed realization of product revenues,
reduction in revenues, and substantial additional costs.
In addition, AbbVie cannot guarantee that it will remain compliant with applicable regulatory
requirements once approval has been obtained for a product. These requirements include, among other
things, regulations regarding manufacturing practices, product labeling, and advertising and post-marketing
reporting, including adverse event reports and field alerts due to manufacturing quality concerns. AbbVie
must incur expense and spend time and effort to ensure compliance with these complex regulations.
Possible regulatory actions could result in substantial modifications to AbbVie’s business practices and
operations; refunds, recalls, or seizures of AbbVie’s products; a total or partial shutdown of production in
one or more of AbbVie’s or its suppliers’ facilities while AbbVie or its supplier remedies the alleged
violation; the inability to obtain future approvals; and withdrawals or suspensions of current products from
the market. Any of these events could disrupt AbbVie’s business and have a material adverse effect on its
business and results of operations.
Laws and regulations affecting government benefit programs could impose new obligations on
AbbVie, require it to change its business practices, and restrict its operations in the future.
The health care industry is subject to various federal, state, and international laws and regulations
pertaining to government benefit programs reimbursement, rebates, price reporting and regulation, and
health care fraud and abuse. In the United States, these laws include anti-kickback and false claims laws,
the Medicaid Rebate Statute, the Veterans Health Care Act, and individual state laws relating to pricing and
sales and marketing practices. Violations of these laws may be punishable by criminal and/or civil sanctions,
including, in some instances, substantial fines, imprisonment, and exclusion from participation in federal and
state health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration health programs.
These laws and regulations are broad in scope and they are subject to change and evolving interpretations,
which could require AbbVie to incur substantial costs associated with compliance or to alter one or more of
its sales or marketing practices. In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could
disrupt AbbVie’s business and result in a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.
AbbVie could be subject to increased monetary penalties and/or other sanctions, including exclusion
from federal health care programs, if it fails to comply with the terms of the May 7, 2012 resolution of
the Department of Justice’s investigation into sales and marketing activities for Depakote.
On May 7, 2012, Abbott settled United States federal and 49 state investigations into its sales and
marketing activities for Depakote by pleading guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act and agreeing to pay approximately $700 million in criminal fines and forfeitures and
approximately $900 million to resolve civil claims. Under the plea agreement, Abbott submitted to a term
of probation that was initially set at 5 years, but was shortened to 3 years upon the separation of Abbott
and AbbVie. The obligations of the plea agreement have transferred to and become fully binding on
AbbVie. The conditions of probation include certain reporting requirements, maintenance of certain
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2014 Form 10-K
compliance measures, certifications of AbbVie’s CEO and board of directors, and other conditions. If AbbVie
violates the terms of its probation, it may face additional monetary sanctions and other such remedies as
the court deems appropriate. On October 2, 2012, the court accepted the guilty plea and imposed the
agreed-upon sentence.
In addition, Abbott entered into a five-year CIA with the Office of Inspector General for the United
States Department of Health and Human Services (OIG). The effective date of the CIA is October 11, 2012.
The obligations of the CIA have transferred to and become fully binding on AbbVie. The CIA requires
enhancements to AbbVie’s compliance program, fulfillment of reporting and monitoring obligations,
management certifications, and resolutions from AbbVie’s board of directors, among other requirements.
Compliance with the requirements of the settlement will impose additional costs and burdens on AbbVie,
including in the form of employee training, third party reviews, compliance monitoring, reporting
obligations, and management attention. If AbbVie fails to comply with the CIA, the OIG may impose
monetary penalties or exclude AbbVie from federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
AbbVie and Abbott may be subject to third party claims and shareholder lawsuits in connection with the
settlement, and AbbVie may be required to indemnify all or a portion of Abbott’s costs.
The international nature of AbbVie’s business subjects it to additional business risks that may cause
its revenue and profitability to decline.
AbbVie’s business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including in
emerging markets. Sales outside of the United States make up approximately 46 percent of AbbVie’s total
net sales in 2014. The risks associated with AbbVie’s operations outside the United States include:
• fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
• changes in medical reimbursement policies and programs;
• multiple legal and regulatory requirements that are subject to change and that could restrict
AbbVie’s ability to manufacture, market, and sell its products;
• differing local product preferences and product requirements;
• trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements;
• difficulty in establishing, staffing, and managing operations;
• differing labor regulations;
• potentially negative consequences from changes in or interpretations of tax laws;
• political and economic instability, including sovereign debt issues;
• price and currency exchange controls, limitations on participation in local enterprises, expropriation,
nationalization, and other governmental action;
• inflation, recession and fluctuations in interest rates;
• potential deterioration in the economic position and credit quality of certain non-U.S. countries,
including in Europe and Latin America; and
• potential penalties or other adverse consequences for violations of anti-corruption, anti-bribery and
other similar laws and regulations, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the
United Kingdom Bribery Act.
Events contemplated by these risks may, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect
on AbbVie’s revenues and profitability.
2014 Form 10-K
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19
AbbVie may acquire other businesses, license rights to technologies or products, form alliances, or
dispose of assets, which could cause it to incur significant expenses and could negatively affect
profitability.
AbbVie may pursue acquisitions, technology licensing arrangements, and strategic alliances, or dispose
of some of its assets, as part of its business strategy. AbbVie may not complete these transactions in a
timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, or at all, and may not realize the expected benefits. If AbbVie is
successful in making an acquisition, the products and technologies that are acquired may not be successful
or may require significantly greater resources and investments than originally anticipated. AbbVie may not
be able to integrate acquisitions successfully into its existing business and could incur or assume significant
debt and unknown or contingent liabilities. AbbVie could also experience negative effects on its reported
results of operations from acquisition or disposition-related charges, amortization of expenses related to
intangibles and charges for impairment of long-term assets. These effects could cause a deterioration of
AbbVie’s credit rating and result in increased borrowing costs and interest expense.
Additionally, changes in AbbVie’s structure, operations, revenues, costs, or efficiency resulting from
major transactions such as acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, alliances, restructurings or other strategic
initiatives, may result in greater than expected costs, may take longer than expected to complete or
encounter other difficulties, including the need for regulatory approval where appropriate.
AbbVie is dependent on wholesale distributors for distribution of its products in the United States
and, accordingly, its results of operations could be adversely affected if they encounter financial
difficulties.
In 2014, three wholesale distributors—AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc. and
McKesson Corporation—accounted for substantially all of AbbVie’s sales in the United States. If one of its
significant wholesale distributors encounters financial or other difficulties, such distributor may decrease the
amount of business that it does with AbbVie, and AbbVie may be unable to collect all the amounts that
the distributor owes it on a timely basis or at all, which could negatively impact AbbVie’s business and
results of operations.
AbbVie has debt obligations that could adversely affect its business and its ability to meet its
obligations.
The amount of debt that AbbVie has incurred and intends to incur could have important consequences
to AbbVie and its investors. These consequences include, among other things, requiring a portion of
AbbVie’s cash flow from operations to make interest payments on this debt and reducing the cash flow
available to fund capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to grow AbbVie’s business. To the
extent that AbbVie incurs additional indebtedness, these risks could increase. In addition, AbbVie’s cash
flow from operations may not be sufficient to repay all of the outstanding debt as it becomes due, and
AbbVie may not be able to borrow money, sell assets, or otherwise raise funds on acceptable terms, or at
all, to refinance its debt.
AbbVie may need additional financing in the future to meet its capital needs or to make
opportunistic acquisitions, and such financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all.
AbbVie may need to seek additional financing for its general corporate purposes. For example, it may
need to increase its investment in research and development activities or need funds to make acquisitions.
AbbVie may be unable to obtain any desired additional financing on terms favorable to it, if at all. If
AbbVie loses its investment grade credit rating or adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms,
AbbVie may be unable to fund its expansion, successfully develop or enhance products, or respond to
competitive pressures, any of which could negatively affect AbbVie’s business. If AbbVie raises additional
funds by issuing debt or entering into credit facilities, it may be subject to limitations on its operations due
to restrictive covenants. Failure to comply with these covenants could adversely affect AbbVie’s business.
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2014 Form 10-K
AbbVie depends on information technology and a failure of those systems could adversely affect
AbbVie’s business.
AbbVie relies on sophisticated information technology systems to operate its business. These systems
are potentially vulnerable to malicious intrusion, random attack, loss of data privacy, or breakdown.
Although AbbVie has invested in the protection of its data and information technology and also monitors its
systems on an ongoing basis, there can be no assurance that these efforts will prevent breakdowns or
breaches in AbbVie’s information technology systems that could adversely affect AbbVie’s business.
Other factors can have a material adverse effect on AbbVie’s profitability and financial condition.
Many other factors can affect AbbVie’s profitability and financial condition, including:
• changes in or interpretations of laws and regulations, including changes in accounting standards,
taxation requirements, product marketing application standards, and environmental laws;
• differences between the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities and their actual value,
particularly for pension and post-employment benefits, stock-based compensation, intangibles, and
goodwill; and for contingent liabilities such as litigation, the absence of a recorded amount, or an
amount recorded at the minimum, compared to the actual amount;
• changes in the rate of inflation (including the cost of raw materials, commodities, and supplies),
interest rates, market value of AbbVie’s equity investments, and the performance of investments
held by it or its employee benefit trusts;
• changes in the creditworthiness of counterparties that transact business with or provide services to
AbbVie or its employee benefit trusts; and
• changes in business, economic, and political conditions, including: war, political instability, terrorist
attacks, the threat of future terrorist activity and related military action; natural disasters; the cost
and availability of insurance due to any of the foregoing events; labor disputes, strikes, slow-downs,
or other forms of labor or union activity; and pressure from third-party interest groups.
Risks Related to AbbVie’s Separation from Abbott
AbbVie’s historical financial information for fiscal year 2012 and prior periods is not necessarily
representative of the results that it would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and
may not be a reliable indicator of its future results.
The historical information about AbbVie in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2012 and for the periods ending prior to December 31, 2012 refers to AbbVie’s business as
operated by and integrated with Abbott. AbbVie’s historical financial information for these periods was
derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Abbott. Accordingly, the
financial information for these periods does not necessarily reflect the financial condition, results of
operations or cash flows that AbbVie would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company during
the periods presented or those that AbbVie will achieve in the future.
For additional information about the past financial performance of AbbVie’s business and the basis of
presentation of the financial statements of AbbVie’s business, see Item 7, ‘‘Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ and Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data.’’
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
21
As AbbVie builds its information technology infrastructure and transitions its data to its own
systems, AbbVie could incur substantial additional costs and experience temporary business interruptions.
AbbVie is installing and implementing information technology infrastructure to support its critical
business functions, including accounting and reporting, manufacturing process control, customer service,
inventory control and distribution. AbbVie may incur temporary interruptions in business operations if it
cannot transition effectively from Abbott’s existing transactional and operational systems, data centers and
the transition services that support these functions as AbbVie replaces these systems. AbbVie may not be
successful in implementing its new systems and transitioning its data, and it may incur substantially higher
costs for implementation than currently anticipated. AbbVie’s failure to avoid operational interruptions as it
implements the new systems and replaces Abbott’s information technology services, or its failure to
implement the new systems and replace Abbott’s services successfully, could disrupt its business, adversely
affect its ability to collect receivables from customers, and have a material adverse effect on its profitability.
In addition, if AbbVie is unable to replicate or transition certain systems, its ability to comply with
regulatory requirements could be impaired.
Abbott may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that have been executed as part
of the separation or AbbVie may fail to have necessary systems and services in place when certain of the
transaction agreements expire.
In connection with the separation, AbbVie and Abbott entered into a separation and distribution
agreement and various other agreements, including transition services agreements, a tax sharing
agreement, international commercial operations agreements, finished goods supply agreements, contract
manufacturing agreements, an employee matters agreement, a special products master agreement, an
information technology agreement, and a transitional trademark license agreement. Certain of these
agreements provide for the performance of services by each company for the benefit of the other for a
period of time after AbbVie’s separation from Abbott. AbbVie relies on Abbott to satisfy its performance
and payment obligations under these agreements. If Abbott is unable to satisfy its obligations under these
agreements, including its indemnification obligations, AbbVie could incur operational difficulties or losses.
In addition, AbbVie and Abbott entered into long-term arrangements under a special products master
agreement relating to certain product rights and into an ex-U.S. transition services agreement for Abbott to
provide AbbVie with back office functions and other services in certain markets outside the United States
until AbbVie has established sufficient back office infrastructure to conduct operations in such markets.
These arrangements could lead to disputes between Abbott and AbbVie over AbbVie’s rights to certain
intellectual property and territorial commercialization rights and over the allocation of costs and revenues
for AbbVie’s products and operations outside of the United States.
If AbbVie does not have in place its own systems and services, or if AbbVie does not have agreements
with other providers of these services when the transaction or long-term agreements terminate, AbbVie
may not be able to operate its business effectively and its profitability may decline. AbbVie is in the
process of creating its own, or engaging third parties to provide, systems and services to replace many of
the systems and services Abbott currently provides to it. AbbVie may not be successful in effectively or
efficiently implementing these systems and services or in transitioning data from Abbott’s systems to
AbbVie’s. These systems and services may also be more expensive or less efficient than the systems and
services Abbott is expected to provide during the transition period.
AbbVie is developing and implementing its own back office functions, administrative systems,
personnel, and processes for markets outside the United States where Abbott will initially provide such
functions. There can be no assurance that AbbVie will be able to fully implement such functions effectively
and without disrupting its business in those markets.
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2014 Form 10-K
Potential indemnification liabilities to Abbott pursuant to the separation agreement could materially
adversely affect AbbVie.
The separation agreement with Abbott provides for, among other things, the principal corporate
transactions required to effect the separation, certain conditions to the separation and provisions governing
the relationship between AbbVie and Abbott with respect to and resulting from the separation. Among
other things, the separation agreement provides for indemnification obligations designed to make AbbVie
financially responsible for substantially all liabilities, except certain tax liabilities, that may exist relating to
its business activities, whether incurred prior to or after AbbVie’s separation from Abbott, as well as those
obligations of Abbott assumed by AbbVie pursuant to the separation agreement, including those relating to
Depakote. If AbbVie is required to indemnify Abbott under the circumstances set forth in the separation
agreement, AbbVie may be subject to substantial liabilities.
Risks Related to AbbVie’s Common Stock
AbbVie cannot guarantee the timing, amount, or payment of dividends on its common stock.
Although AbbVie expects to pay regular cash dividends, the timing, declaration, amount and payment
of future dividends to stockholders will fall within the discretion of AbbVie’s board of directors. The board’s
decisions regarding the payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as AbbVie’s financial
condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, industry practice, legal requirements,
regulatory constraints, and other factors that the board deems relevant. For more information, see Item 5,
‘‘Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities.’’ AbbVie’s ability to pay dividends will depend on its ongoing ability to generate cash from
operations and access capital markets. AbbVie cannot guarantee that it will continue to pay a dividend in
the future.
An AbbVie stockholder’s percentage of ownership in AbbVie may be diluted in the future.
In the future, a stockholder’s percentage ownership in AbbVie may be diluted because of equity
issuances for capital market transactions, equity awards that AbbVie will be granting to AbbVie’s directors,
officers and employees, acquisitions, or other purposes. AbbVie’s employees have options to purchase
shares of its common stock as a result of conversion of their Abbott stock options (in whole or in part) to
AbbVie stock options. AbbVie anticipates its compensation committee will grant additional stock options or
other stock-based awards to its employees. Such awards will have a dilutive effect on AbbVie’s earnings per
share, which could adversely affect the market price of AbbVie’s common stock. From time to time, AbbVie
will issue additional options or other stock-based awards to its employees under AbbVie’s employee
benefits plans.
In addition, AbbVie’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes AbbVie to issue,
without the approval of AbbVie’s stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such
designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including
preferences over AbbVie’s common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as AbbVie’s board of
directors generally may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could
dilute the voting power or reduce the value of AbbVie’s common stock. For example, AbbVie could grant
the holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of AbbVie’s directors in all events or on the
happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or
redemption rights or liquidation preferences AbbVie could assign to holders of preferred stock could affect
the residual value of the common stock.
2014 Form 10-K
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Certain provisions in AbbVie’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and
restated by-laws, and of Delaware law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of AbbVie, which could
decrease the trading price of AbbVie’s common stock.
AbbVie’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws contain,
and Delaware law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and
inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to
encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with AbbVie’s board of directors rather than to attempt a
hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:
• the inability of AbbVie’s stockholders to call a special meeting;
• the division of AbbVie’s board of directors into three classes of directors, with each class serving a
staggered three-year term;
• a provision that stockholders may only remove directors for cause;
• the ability of AbbVie’s directors, and not stockholders, to fill vacancies on AbbVie’s board of
directors; and
• the requirement that the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least 80 percent of AbbVie’s
voting stock is required to amend certain provisions in AbbVie’s amended and restated certificate of
incorporation and AbbVie’s amended and restated by-laws relating to the number, term and election
of AbbVie’s directors, the filling of board vacancies, the calling of special meetings of stockholders
and director and officer indemnification provisions.
In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that, subject to limited
exceptions, persons that acquire, or are affiliated with a person that acquires, more than 15 percent of the
outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation shall not engage in any business combination with that
corporation, including by merger, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period
following the date on which that person or its affiliates becomes the holder of more than 15 percent of
the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.
AbbVie believes these provisions protect its stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover
tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with AbbVie’s board of directors and by providing
AbbVie’s board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not
intended to make the company immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer
may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that AbbVie’s
board of directors determines is not in the best interests of AbbVie and AbbVie’s stockholders. These
provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward looking statements regarding business
strategies, market potential, future financial performance and other matters. The words ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘expect,’’
‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘project’’ and similar expressions, among others, generally identify ‘‘forward looking
statements,’’ which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these
forward looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward looking statements.
In particular, information included under Item 1, ‘‘Business,’’ Item 1A, ‘‘Risk Factors,’’ and Item 7,
‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ contain forward
looking statements. Where, in any forward looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results
or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of AbbVie
management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no
assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Factors that could cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include the matters described under
Item 1A, ‘‘Risk Factors’’ and Item 7, ‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.’’ AbbVie does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof,
unless AbbVie is required by applicable securities law to do so.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
AbbVie’s corporate offices are located at 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-6400.
AbbVie’s principal manufacturing plants are in the following locations:
United States
Abbott Park, Illinois*
Barceloneta, Puerto Rico
Jayuya, Puerto Rico
North Chicago, Illinois
Worcester, Massachusetts
*
Leased property.
Outside the United States
Campoverde di Aprilia, Italy
Cork, Ireland
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Sligo, Ireland
In addition to the above, AbbVie has other manufacturing facilities in the United States and worldwide.
AbbVie believes its facilities are suitable and provide adequate production capacity.
In the United States, including Puerto Rico, AbbVie has one distribution center. AbbVie also has four
United States research and development facilities located at: Abbott Park, Illinois; North Chicago, Illinois;
Redwood City, California; and Worcester, Massachusetts. Outside the United States, AbbVie’s principal
research and development facilities are located in Shanghai, China and Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Except as noted, the principal plants in the United States listed above are owned by AbbVie or
subsidiaries of AbbVie. The remaining manufacturing plants and all other facilities are owned or leased by
AbbVie or subsidiaries of AbbVie.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
25
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Information pertaining to legal proceedings is provided in Note 14 entitled ‘‘Legal Proceedings and
Contingencies’’ of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data,’’ and is incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Not applicable.
26
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following table lists AbbVie’s executive officers, each of whom was first appointed as an AbbVie
corporate officer in December 2012, except as otherwise indicated.
Name
Richard A. Gonzalez
Laura J. Schumacher
William J. Chase
Carlos Alban
Michael Severino, M.D.*
Timothy J. Richmond
Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D.
Thomas A. Hurwich
Age
Position
61
51
47
52
49
48
51
54
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President, Business Development, External Affairs
and General Counsel
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations
Executive Vice President, Research and Development, Chief
Scientific Officer
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Senior Vice President, Operations
Vice President, Controller
*
First appointed as a corporate officer in June 2014.
Mr. Gonzalez is AbbVie’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He served as Abbott’s
Executive Vice President, Pharmaceutical Products Group from 2010 to 2012, and was responsible for
Abbott’s worldwide pharmaceutical business, including commercial operations, research and development,
and manufacturing. He has also served as President, Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott’s medical technology
investment arm, from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Gonzalez joined Abbott in 1977 and held various management
positions before briefly retiring in 2007, including Abbott’s President and Chief Operating Officer, President,
Chief Operating Officer of Abbott’s Medical Products Group, Senior Vice President and President of Abbott’s
former Hospital Products Division (now Hospira, Inc.), Vice President and President of Abbott’s Health
Systems Division, and Divisional Vice President and General Manager for Abbott’s Diagnostics Operations in
the United States and Canada.
Ms. Schumacher is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Business Development, External Affairs and
General Counsel. She served as Abbott’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
from 2007 to 2012, and as Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary, and General Counsel from 2005 to
2007. Ms. Schumacher was also responsible for Abbott’s licensing and acquisitions function and its Office of
Ethics and Compliance. Ms. Schumacher joined Abbott in 1990. She currently serves as a director of
General Dynamics Corporation.
Mr. Chase is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. He served as Abbott’s Vice
President, Licensing and Acquisitions from 2010 to 2012, as Vice President, Treasurer from 2007 to 2010,
and as Divisional Vice President, Controller of Abbott International from 2004 to 2007. Mr. Chase joined
Abbott in 1989.
Mr. Alban is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations. He served as Abbott’s Senior
Vice President, Proprietary Pharmaceutical Products, Global Commercial Operations from 2011 to 2012, as
Senior Vice President, International Pharmaceuticals from 2009 to 2011, as Vice President, Western Europe
and Canada from 2007 to 2009, and as Vice President, European Operations from 2006 to 2007. Mr. Alban
joined Abbott in 1986.
Dr. Severino is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development, Chief Scientific Officer.
Dr. Severino served at Amgen Inc. as Senior Vice President, Global Development and Corporate Chief
Medical Officer from 2012 to 2014, as Vice President, Global Development from 2010 to 2012 and as Vice
President, Therapeutic Area Head, General Medicine and Inflammation Global Clinical Development from
2007 to 2012. He joined AbbVie in 2014.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
27
Mr. Richmond is AbbVie’s Senior Vice President, Human Resources. He served as Abbott’s Divisional
Vice President of Compensation & Benefits from 2008 to 2012, as Group Vice President of Talent and
Rewards from 2007 to 2008, and as Divisional Vice President of Talent Acquisition from 2006 to 2007.
Mr. Richmond joined Abbott in 2006.
Dr. Saleki-Gerhardt is AbbVie’s Senior Vice President, Operations. She served as Abbott’s Vice President,
Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing and Supply from 2011 to 2012, and as Divisional Vice President, Quality
Assurance, Global Pharmaceutical Operations from 2008 to 2011. Dr. Saleki-Gerhardt joined Abbott in 1993.
Mr. Hurwich is AbbVie’s Vice President, Controller. He served as Abbott’s Vice President, Internal Audit
from 2009 to 2012, and as Divisional Vice President, Controller, Abbott Diagnostics Division from 2003 to
2009. Mr. Hurwich joined Abbott in 1983.
The executive officers of AbbVie are elected annually by the board of directors. All other officers are
elected by the board or appointed by the Chairman of the Board. All officers are either elected at the first
meeting of the board of directors held after the annual stockholder meeting or appointed by the Chairman
of the Board after that board meeting. Each officer holds office until a successor has been duly elected or
appointed and qualified or until the officer’s death, resignation, or removal. There are no family
relationships between any of the executive officers listed above.
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2014 Form 10-K
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’s COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Principal Market
The principal market for AbbVie’s common stock is the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A
‘‘when-issued’’ trading market for AbbVie’s common stock began on the NYSE on December 10, 2012, and
‘‘regular way’’ trading of AbbVie’s common stock began on January 2, 2013. Prior to December 10, 2012
there was no public market for AbbVie’s common stock. AbbVie’s common stock is also listed on the
Chicago Stock Exchange and traded on various regional and electronic exchanges. Outside the United States,
AbbVie’s common stock is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and the SIX Swiss Exchange.
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Stockholders
Market Price Per Share
2014
2013
high
low
high
low
$54.73
56.90
60.02
70.76
$46.42
45.50
51.37
52.06
$40.80
48.00
48.42
54.78
$33.33
39.96
41.07
44.32
There were 56,161 stockholders of record of AbbVie common stock as of January 31, 2015.
Dividends
Four quarterly dividends were paid on common stock in 2014. The first quarter cash dividend of $0.40
per share was payable February 14, 2014 and the second, third and fourth quarter dividends of $0.42 per
share were payable May 15, 2014, August 15, 2014 and November 17, 2014, respectively. On October 20,
2014, AbbVie’s board of directors declared an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $0.42 per share
to $0.49 per share, payable on February 13, 2015 to stockholders of record as of January 15, 2015. A
quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share was paid on common stock in 2013. The timing, declaration, amount
of, and payment of any dividends by AbbVie in the future is within the discretion of its board of directors
and will depend upon many factors, including AbbVie’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of
its operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of AbbVie’s debt service obligations, legal
requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets, and other factors
deemed relevant by its board of directors. Moreover, if AbbVie determines to pay any dividend in the
future, there can be no assurance that it will continue to pay such dividends or the amount of such
dividends.
AbbVie Inc. is an Illinois High Impact Business (HIB) and is located in a federal Foreign Trade Sub-Zone
(Sub-Zone 22S). Dividends may be eligible for a subtraction from base income for Illinois income tax
purposes. If you have questions, please contact your tax advisor.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total returns of AbbVie, the S&P 500 Index and the NYSE
Arca Pharmaceuticals Index. This graph covers the period from January 2, 2013 (the first day AbbVie’s
common stock began ‘‘regular-way’’ trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 2014. This graph assumes
$100 was invested in the stock or the index on January 2, 2013 and also assumes the reinvestment of
dividends. The stock price performance on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock
price performance.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
29
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
$225
$200
$175
$150
$125
$100
1/2/2013
6/30/2013
12/31/2013
6/30/2014
12/31/2014
AbbVie Inc.
S&P 500 Index
NYSE Arca Pharmaceu(cid:2)cal Index
13MAR201512001133
This performance graph is furnished and shall not be deemed ‘‘filed’’ with the SEC or subject to
Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of our
filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a) Total
Number
of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased
(b) Average
Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
9,410(1)
$39.55
34,295(1)
$51.43
(c) Total
Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
—
—
4,513,139(1)
4,556,844(1)
$67.03
$66.86
4,475,247
4,475,247
(d) Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units) that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
$5,000,000,000(2)
$5,000,000,000(2)
$4,699,938,463(2)
$4,699,938,463(2)
Period
October 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014
November 1, 2014 - November 30,
2014
December 1, 2014 - December 31,
2014
Total
(1) These shares represent:
(i)
the shares deemed surrendered to AbbVie to pay the exercise price in connection with the
exercise of employee stock options—9,410 in October; 34,295 in November; and 15,871 in
December; and
(ii)
the shares purchased on the open market for the benefit of participants in the AbbVie Employee
Stock Purchase Plan—0 in October; 0 in November; and 22,021 in December.
These shares do not include the shares surrendered to AbbVie to satisfy minimum tax withholding
obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock or restricted stock units. This
authorization supersedes the previously-disclosed $1.5 billion stock repurchase program.
(2) On October 20, 2014, AbbVie announced that its board of directors authorized the purchase of up to
$5.0 billion of its common stock, from time to time.
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13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following table sets forth AbbVie’s selected financial information derived from its (i) audited
consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013; and
(ii) audited combined financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and
2010. The historical financial statements for periods prior to January 1, 2013 were prepared on a stand-
alone basis and were derived from Abbott’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records as if
the former research-based pharmaceutical business of Abbott had been part of AbbVie for all periods
presented. Accordingly, AbbVie’s financial statements for periods prior to January 1, 2013 are presented on
a combined basis and reflect AbbVie’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows as its business
was operated as part of Abbott prior to the separation, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) in the United States. The historical financial statements for periods prior to January 1,
2013 also reflected an allocation of expenses related to certain Abbott corporate functions, including senior
management, legal, human resources, finance, information technology and quality assurance. These
expenses were allocated to AbbVie based on direct usage or benefit where identifiable, with the remainder
allocated on a pro rata basis of revenues, headcount, square footage, number of transactions or other
measures. AbbVie considers the expense allocation methodology and results to be reasonable. However, the
allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had AbbVie
operated as an independent, stand-alone, publicly-traded company for the periods presented. Accordingly,
the historical financial information presented for periods prior to January 1, 2013 may not be indicative of
the results of operations or financial position that would have been achieved if AbbVie had been an
independent, stand-alone, publicly-traded company during the periods shown or of AbbVie’s performance
for periods subsequent to December 31, 2012. Refer to ‘‘Separation from Abbott Laboratories and Basis of
Historical Presentation’’ and ‘‘Transition from Abbott and Cost to Operate as an Independent Company’’
included under Item 7, ‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations’’ for additional information.
The selected financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and
accompanying notes included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ and Item 7,
‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.’’
as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except
per share data)
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Statement of earnings data
Net sales
Net earnings(a)
Basic earnings per share(a)
Diluted earnings per share(a)
Cash dividends declared per share
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding(c)
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding(c)
Balance sheet data
$19,960
$ 1,774
$ 1.11
$ 1.10
$ 1.75
1,595
1,610
$18,790
$ 4,128
$ 2.58
$ 2.56
$ 2.00(b)
1,589
1,604
$18,380
$ 5,275
$ 3.35
$ 3.35
n/a
1,577
1,577
$17,444
$ 3,433
$ 2.18
$ 2.18
n/a
1,577
1,577
$15,638
$ 4,178
$ 2.65
$ 2.65
n/a
1,577
1,577
Total assets
Long-term debt and lease obligations(d)
$27,547
$14,586
$29,198
$14,310
$27,008
$14,652
$19,521
48
$
$21,135
52
$
(a) Results for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 included higher expenses associated with
operating as an independent, stand-alone publicly traded company than the historically derived
financial statements. The increases include the impact of interest expense on debt issued in November
2012, a higher tax rate and other full year incremental costs of operating as an independent company.
In addition, results for the year ended December 31, 2014 include after-tax transaction and financing-
related costs totaling $1.8 billion, or $1.12 per share, incurred in connection with the terminated
proposed combination with Shire plc (Shire), a $750 million after-tax charge related to a research and
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
31
development collaboration agreement with Calico Life Sciences LLC (Calico), and a $173 million
after-tax charge as a result of entering into a global collaboration with Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Infinity). Refer to Notes 4 and 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements included under
Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ for further information relating to the
termination of the proposed combination with Shire and the collaborations with Calico and Infinity,
respectively.
(b) AbbVie declared regular quarterly cash dividends in 2013 aggregating $1.60 per share of common
stock. In addition, a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock was declared from
pre-separation earnings on January 4, 2013 and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in
capital. Refer to Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements included under Item 8,
‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ for additional information regarding cash dividends
declared in 2013.
(c) On January 1, 2013, Abbott distributed 1,577 million shares of AbbVie common stock. For periods prior
to the separation, the weighted-average basic and diluted shares outstanding was based on the
number of shares of AbbVie common stock outstanding on the distribution date. Refer to Note 5 to
the audited consolidated financial statements included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data’’ for information regarding the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per
common share for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
(d) Also includes current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations.
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2014 Form 10-K
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following is a discussion and analysis of the financial condition of AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie or the
company) and results of operations as of and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2014. This commentary should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes appearing in Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.’’
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Company Overview
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company. AbbVie develops and markets advanced
therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie products are used
to treat chronic autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease;
hepatitis C (HCV); human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); endometriosis; thyroid disease; Parkinson’s disease;
complications associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cystic fibrosis; and other health conditions
such as low testosterone. AbbVie also has a pipeline of promising new medicines, including more than 30
compounds or indications in Phase 2 or Phase 3 development across such important medical specialties as
immunology, virology/liver disease, oncology, renal disease, neurological diseases and women’s health.
AbbVie’s products are generally sold worldwide directly to wholesalers, distributors, government
agencies, health care facilities, specialty pharmacies, and independent retailers from AbbVie-owned
distribution centers and public warehouses. In the United States, AbbVie distributes pharmaceutical
products principally through independent wholesale distributors, with some sales directly to pharmacies and
patients. Outside the United States, sales are made either directly to customers or through distributors,
depending on the market served. Certain products are co-marketed or co-promoted with other companies.
AbbVie has approximately 26,000 employees and its products are sold in over 170 countries. AbbVie
operates in one business segment—pharmaceutical products.
Financial Results
Since becoming an independent company, AbbVie’s strategy has focused on delivering strong financial
results and returns for shareholders while ensuring a strong sustainable growth business over the longer
term. In 2014, AbbVie grew worldwide net sales by 6 percent to $20.0 billion, driven primarily by the
continued strength of HUMIRA and double-digit sales growth from other key products including Creon,
Duodopa and Synthroid. Sales growth in 2014 continued to reflect the impact of the loss of exclusivity in
the company’s lipid franchise, which resulted in the loss of $748 million of revenue in 2014 over the prior
year. Generic competition began in November 2012 for TriCor, July 2013 for Trilipix and September 2013 for
Niaspan.
The company’s financial performance in 2014 included delivering fully diluted earnings per share of
$1.10, including after-tax transaction and financing-related costs totaling $1.8 billion incurred in connection
with the terminated proposed combination with Shire plc (Shire), a $750 million after-tax charge related to
a research and development collaboration agreement with Calico Life Sciences LLC (Calico) and a
$173 million after-tax charge as a result of entering into a global collaboration with Infinity
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Infinity). Refer to Note 4 for further information regarding the termination of the
company’s proposed combination with Shire and Note 6 for further information regarding the company’s
collaborations with Calico and Infinity. AbbVie’s financial performance in 2014 also reflected an
improvement in gross margin primarily due to favorable product mix across the product portfolio and
operational efficiencies, as well as increased funding in support of AbbVie’s emerging mid-and late-stage
pipeline assets and additional HUMIRA indications.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
33
In 2014, the company generated cash flows from operations of $3.5 billion, net of the after-tax
transaction and financing-related costs incurred in connection with the terminated proposed combination
with Shire. These strong cash flows enabled the company to continue to enhance its pipeline through
licensing and collaboration activities, pay cash dividends to shareholders of $2.7 billion and repurchase
approximately 9 million shares for $550 million. In addition, the board of directors declared an increase in
the company’s quarterly cash dividend from $0.42 per share to $0.49 per share of common stock payable
in February 2015, as well as authorized a new $5.0 billion stock repurchase program that is expected to be
executed over the next several years.
In addition to these financial results, AbbVie continued to advance its pipeline during 2014, including
securing regulatory approval in the United States for AbbVie’s interferon-free HCV treatment, VIEKIRA PAK,
as well as submitting its regulatory application in the European Union, which was subsequently approved in
January 2015. AbbVie also continued to advance its previously submitted regulatory applications in the
United States for Duopa, which were subsequently approved in January 2015, and completed several
late-stage clinical trials, including ZINBRYTA (daclizumab) for the treatment of the relapsing/remitting form
of multiple sclerosis (MS) and registrational programs for an expanded use of HUMIRA for hidradenitis
suppurativa. AbbVie also augmented its pipeline through strategic licensing and partnering activities
including in-licensing duvelisib, a dual acting PI3 kinase inhibitor currently under investigation for use in a
variety of hematological malignancies, from Infinity and entering into a novel collaboration with Calico to
discover, develop, and commercialize new therapies for patients with age-related diseases.
2015 Strategic Objectives
In 2015, AbbVie expects sales performance to be driven by continued strong growth from HUMIRA, the
launch of VIEKIRA PAK, and sales growth in certain key products including Creon and Duodopa, partially
offset by a decline in several products due to generic competition, including AndroGel 1% and the
remainder of the lipid franchise. In addition, AbbVie expects to achieve operating margin improvements
while continuing to invest in its pipeline in support of opportunities in oncology, HCV, and immunology, as
well as continued investment in key products. AbbVie expects to grow operating cash flows in 2015, which
will enable the company to continue to augment its pipeline through concerted focus on strategic licensing,
acquisition and partnering activity and returning cash to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases.
AbbVie expects to continue to drive strong HUMIRA sales growth in several ways. AbbVie seeks to
expand the HUMIRA patient base by applying for regulatory approval of new indications for HUMIRA,
treating conditions such as uveitis and hidradenitis suppurativa. AbbVie will also seek to drive HUMIRA sales
growth by expanding its market share and its presence in underserved markets. AbbVie plans to continue
making investments in key emerging markets, including Brazil, China, and Russia.
Another key driver of AbbVie’s performance in 2015 will be VIEKIRA PAK, which is now approved in
the United States, the European Union and a number of other countries around the world. AbbVie expects
to support the successful launch of VIEKIRA in the United States by securing payor positions and patient
access and focusing commercial efforts on penetration in AbbVie-exclusive and parity accounts. The
company has launched VIEKIRAX in several European countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom and
Canada, and continues to work with various governments around the world to gain reimbursements
approvals.
AbbVie will continue its investment in products with historically stable sales levels, while making
adjustments as necessary to increase the value of its product portfolio. AbbVie plans to achieve this
objective in a variety of ways depending on product and circumstances by, for example, identifying supply
chain efficiencies, pursuing additional indications, and optimizing residual value as products reach the end
of exclusivity. AbbVie believes that its approach will allow the company to maintain a strong operating
margin.
34
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
R&D efforts will continue to focus a significant portion of expenditures on compounds for immunology,
virology/liver disease, oncology, renal disease, neurological diseases and women’s health. AbbVie’s scientists
work to advance a pipeline of specialty molecules that demonstrate strong clinical performance for patients
and economic value for patients and their healthcare systems. Current R&D projects are described in the
‘‘Research and Development’’ section below. Abbvie will also continue to augment its pipeline through
concerted focus on strategic licensing, acquisition and partnering activity in 2015.
Research and Development
Research and innovation continues to be a key strategic priority for AbbVie. AbbVie’s long-term success
depends to a great extent on its ability to continue to discover and develop innovative pharmaceutical
products and acquire or collaborate on compounds currently in development at other biotechnology or
pharmaceutical companies.
AbbVie’s pipeline includes more than 40 compounds or indications in clinical development individually
or under collaboration or license agreements. Of these programs, approximately 13 are in Phase 3
development or in registration. AbbVie expects multiple Phase 2 programs to transition into Phase 3
programs during 2015. R&D is focused on therapeutic areas that include immunology, virology/liver disease,
oncology, renal disease, neurological diseases, and women’s health, among others.
Immunology
HUMIRA is approved to treat the following autoimmune diseases in the United States, Canada, and
Mexico (collectively, North America), and in the European Union:
Condition
Rheumatoid arthritis (moderate to severe)
Psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease (moderate to severe)
Plaque psoriasis (moderate to severe)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Ulcerative colitis (moderate to severe)
Axial spondyloarthropathy
Pediatric Crohn’s disease (severe)
Pediatric enthesitis-related arthritis
Principal Markets
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
North America, European Union
United States, European Union
United States, European Union
United States, European Union
European Union
AbbVie continues to dedicate R&D efforts to expanding indications for HUMIRA, including in the fields
of gastroenterology, dermatology and ophthalmology. Phase 3 trials are ongoing in preparation for
regulatory applications of HUMIRA for uveitis in the United States and the European Union. A regulatory
application for hidradenitis suppurativa has been filed in the United States and the European Union.
AbbVie also has a number of next-generation programs underway to address immune-mediated
conditions, including the following:
• AbbVie’s studies of dual variable domain immunoglobulin (DVD-Ig) technology, which represents an
approach that can target multiple disease-causing antigens with a single biologic agent, continue to
progress. This proprietary technology could lead to next-generation biologic treatments for complex
conditions such as cancer or rheumatoid arthritis, where multiple pathways are involved in the
disease. ABT-122, a DVD directed against IL-17 and TNF, is currently in Phase 2 investigation in RA,
and ABT-981, a DVD targeting IL-1 alpha and beta, is being studied in osteoarthritis in an ongoing
Phase 2 program.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
35
• AbbVie is collaborating with Biotest AG on an anti-CD4 biologic known as tregalizumab. The
compound is currently in Phase 2b clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
• Filgotinib (GLPG0634), a next-generation, oral Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, is being developed with
Galapagos NV (Galapagos) in a collaboration entered into during the first quarter of 2012. Filgotinib
is currently in Phase 2b development to treat rheumatoid arthritis and may be able to address other
autoimmune diseases. In January 2014, a Phase 2 study to evaluate Filgotinib to treat Crohn’s
disease was initiated.
• ABT-494, AbbVie’s JAK-1 selective inhibitor, is currently in Phase 2b.
• In September 2013, AbbVie entered into a global collaboration with Ablynx NV (Ablynx) to develop
and commercialize the anti-IL-6R Nanobody, ALX-0061, to treat inflammatory diseases including
rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. ALX-0061 is currently in Phase 2
development for rheumatoid arthritis.
• In May 2013, AbbVie entered into a global collaboration with Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alvine) to
develop ALV003, a novel oral treatment for patients with celiac disease. ALV003 is currently in
Phase 2b development.
Virology/Liver Disease
On December 19, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AbbVie’s VIEKIRA PAK,
an all-oral interferon-free treatment, with or without ribavirin (RBV), for the treatment of patients with
chronic genotype 1 HCV infection, including those with compensated cirrhosis. On January 16, 2015, AbbVie
announced that the European Commission granted marketing authorizations for its all-oral, short-course,
interferon-free treatment VIEKIRAX (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets) + EXVIERA (dasabuvir tablets).
The treatment has been approved with or without RBV for patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV infection,
including those with compensated liver cirrhosis, HIV-1 co-infection, patients on opioid substitution therapy
and liver transplant recipients. Additionally, VIEKIRAX has been approved for use with RBV in genotype 4
chronic HCV patients. AbbVie’s HCV combination is also in Phase 3 development in Japan. AbbVie submitted
its regulatory application in Japan in 2015.
AbbVie is also currently conducting Phase 2 studies of its next-generation HCV program which includes
ABT-493, a potent protease inhibitor, and ABT-530, AbbVie’s new NS5A inhibitor.
Oncology
AbbVie is focused on the development of targeted treatments that inhibit tumor growth and improve
response to common cancer therapies. AbbVie’s later-stage oncology pipeline includes the following:
• Elotuzumab is an anti-SLAM7 antibody for the treatment of multiple myeloma under a collaboration
with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). Phase 3 development began in June 2011 for multiple myeloma. In
2014, AbbVie and BMS announced that the FDA granted elotuzumab Breakthrough Therapy
Designation for use in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethoasone for the treatment of
multiple myeloma in patients who have received one or more prior therapies. Two Phase 3 studies
are ongoing with results expected in 2015.
• Veliparib (ABT-888), a PARP-inhibitor, is in a Phase 3 study in BRCA-mutated breast cancer being
treated with chemotherapy initiated in 2014. Veliparib is also in Phase 2 evaluation for the
treatment of a variety of other solid tumors. In 2014, AbbVie announced the initiation of four
separate Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of veliparib, in combination with
chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic squamous
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a separate study in patients with nonsquamous NSCLC, as a
neoadjuvant therapy, when added to carboplatin, prior to surgery in women with early-stage, triple
36
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
negative breast cancer and in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-(HER2)
negative metastatic or locally-advanced breast cancer, containing BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 gene
mutations, when added to carboplatin and paclitaxel.
• Venetoclax (ABT-199), a next-generation Bcl-2 inhibitor, is in development for patients with relapsed/
refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In 2014, two Phase 3 studies in chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL) were initiated in collaboration with AbbVie’s development partner, Roche Holding AG.
AbbVie also completed enrollment in a single arm study evaluating venetoclax in patients with
relapsed/refractory CLL harboring the 17p deletion mutation, a negative prognostic factor. AbbVie
anticipates results from this study in 2015. Venetoclax is also being explored for use across a
number of different hematologic cancers including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell
lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia.
• Other molecular targets are being explored with Antibody-Drug Conjugate approaches linking
anti-target antibodies with potent cytotoxic agents. In 2014, the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
and the FDA granted orphan drug designation to AbbVie’s investigational compound ABT-414, an
anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody drug conjugate, which is being evaluated for safety
and efficacy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and most aggressive type
of malignant primary brain tumor.
• In 2014, AbbVie in-licensed duvelisib, a dual acting PI3 kinase inhibitor currently under investigation
for use in a variety of hematological malignancies, from Infinity. Duvelisib is also under investigation
for use in indolent non-Hodgkins lymphoma and for use in CLL.
Renal Disease
AbbVie’s renal care pipeline includes atrasentan, for the prevention of progression of diabetic CKD. In
2013, a Phase 3 study was initiated to assess atrasentan, when added to standard of care, on progression
of kidney disease in patients with stage 2 to 4 CKD and type 2 diabetes. This global registrational study is
expected to be completed in 2018. Atrasentan will potentially be the first compound launched to treat
diabetic nephropathy by specifically targeting albuminuria and slowing the progression of CKD. AbbVie was
previously investigating ABT-719, for the treatment of acute kidney injury associated with major cardiac and
vascular surgeries. In 2014, AbbVie completed its Phase 2b study and, based on the results of that study,
decided not to continue development of ABT-719.
Neurological Diseases
AbbVie has clinical studies underway on multiple compounds that target receptors in the brain that
help regulate mood, memory, and other neurological functions and conditions, including the following:
• AbbVie is collaborating with Biogen Idec to develop ZINBRYTA (daclizumab) for the treatment of the
relapsing/remitting form of MS, which is the most common form, and affects nearly 85 percent of
newly diagnosed MS patients. The Phase 3 study for ZINBRYTA (daclizumab), an anti-CD25
monoclonal antibody, was successfully completed in 2014. AbbVie is in the process of working with
Biogen Idec to complete its global regulatory applications for ZINBRYTA (daclizumab) which are
expected to be submitted in the first half of 2015.
• On January 12, 2015, AbbVie announced that the FDA approved Duopa, a levodopa-carbidopa
intestinal gel for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Duopa is administered using a small, portable
infusion pump that delivers levodopa and carbidopa directly into the small intestine for 16
continuous hours via a procedurally-placed tube. This product is sold under the name Duodopa
outside the United States.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
37
• In 2014, AbbVie completed two Phase 2b studies of ABT-126, an (cid:2)7-NNR modulator, in both
Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Based on the results of
these studies, AbbVie does not plan to advance the molecule in either of these indications.
Women’s Health
AbbVie is developing a novel oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, elagolix, under a
collaboration with Neurocrine Biosciences for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain and uterine
fibroids. A Phase 3 study in endometriosis began in mid-2012 and a second Phase 3 trial for endometriosis
was initiated in 2013. Positive top-line efficacy results from the initial Phase 3 study were recently
announced and additional safety and efficacy data is expected in 2015. A Phase 2a study for uterine
fibroids was initiated in November 2011 and transitioned to Phase 2b in 2013.
Other
Given the numerous sources for potential future growth, no individual project is expected to be
material to cash flows or results of operations over the next five years. Factors considered included R&D
expenses projected to be incurred for the project over the next year relative to AbbVie’s total R&D
expenses, as well as qualitative factors such as marketplace perceptions and impact of a new product on
AbbVie’s overall market position. There were no delays in AbbVie’s 2014 R&D activities that are expected to
have a material impact on operations.
While the aggregate cost to complete the numerous pharmaceutical projects currently in development
is expected to be material, the total cost to complete will depend upon AbbVie’s ability to successfully
complete each project, the rate at which each project advances, the nature and extent of cost-sharing
arrangements, and the ultimate timing for completion. Given the potential for significant delays and the
high rate of failure inherent in the research and development of new pharmaceutical products, it is not
possible to accurately estimate the total cost to complete all projects currently in development.
Separation from Abbott Laboratories and Basis of Historical Presentation
AbbVie was incorporated in Delaware on April 10, 2012. On January 1, 2013, AbbVie became an
independent, publicly-traded company as a result of the distribution by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) of
100 percent of the outstanding common stock of AbbVie to Abbott’s shareholders.
Prior to the separation, the historical financial statements were prepared on a stand-alone basis and
were derived from Abbott’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records as if the former
research-based pharmaceutical business of Abbott had been part of AbbVie for all periods presented.
Accordingly, AbbVie’s financial statements for periods prior to January 1, 2013 are presented on a combined
basis and reflect AbbVie’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows as its business was
operated as part of Abbott prior to the separation, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) in the United States. The combined financial statements principally represent the
historical results of operations and assets and liabilities of Abbott’s former research-based pharmaceutical
business.
For periods prior to January 1, 2013, the historical combined financial statements also reflected an
allocation of expenses related to certain Abbott corporate functions, including senior management, legal,
human resources, finance, information technology and quality assurance. These expenses were allocated to
AbbVie based on direct usage or benefit where identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata
basis of revenues, headcount, square footage, number of transactions or other measures. AbbVie considers
the expense allocation methodology and results to be reasonable. However, the allocations may not be
indicative of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had AbbVie operated as an independent,
stand-alone, publicly-traded company for the periods presented. Accordingly, the historical financial
information presented for periods prior to January 1, 2013 may not be indicative of the results of
operations or financial position that would have been achieved if AbbVie had been an independent, stand-
alone, publicly-traded company during the periods shown or of AbbVie’s performance for periods
subsequent to December 31, 2012.
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13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Sales
The comparisons presented at constant currency rates reflect comparative local currency sales at the
prior year’s foreign exchange rates. This measure provides information on the change in net sales assuming
that foreign currency exchange rates had not changed between the prior and the current period. AbbVie
believes that the non-GAAP measure of change in net sales at constant currency rates, when used in
conjunction with the GAAP measure of change in net sales at actual currency rates, may provide a more
complete understanding of the company’s operations and can facilitate analysis of the company’s results of
operations, particularly in evaluating performance from one period to another.
for the years ended (in millions)
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013 2014
2013
Percent change
At actual
currency
rates
At constant
currency
rates
United States
International
Net sales
$10,845 $10,181 $10,435
7,945
8,609
9,115
$19,960 $18,790 $18,380
7%
6%
6%
(2)% 7%
(2)%
8% 9% 10%
2% 8%
3%
Sales growth in 2014 and 2013 was driven by the continued strength of HUMIRA, both in the United
States and internationally, as well as sales growth in key products including Synthroid, Creon and Duodopa.
Sales increased in 2014 and 2013 despite the loss of exclusivity for AbbVie’s consolidated lipid franchise, as
well as the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Generic competition began in November 2012 for
TriCor, in July 2013 for Trilipix and in September 2013 for Niaspan.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
39
The following table details the sales of key products.
years ended December 31 (in millions)
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2014
2013
Percent change
At actual
currency
rates
At constant
currency
rates
HUMIRA
United States
International
Total
AndroGel
United States
Kaletra
United States
International
Total
Synagis
International
Lupron
United States
International
Total
Synthroid
United States
Sevoflurane
United States
International
Total
Creon
United States
Dyslipidemia products
United States
Duodopa
International
VIEKIRA PAK
United States
Other
Total
$ 6,524 $ 5,236 $ 4,377
4,888
5,423
6,019
$12,543 $10,659 $ 9,265
25%
11%
18%
20%
11%
15%
25%
13%
19%
20%
12%
15%
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
934 $ 1,035 $ 1,152 (10)% (10)% (10)% (10)%
213 $
657
244 $
718
279 (13)% (13)% (13)% (13)%
(5)% (1)%
734
(9)% (2)%
870 $
962 $ 1,013 (10)% (5)%
(7)% (4)%
835 $
827 $
825
1% —
9%
9%
580 $
198
566 $
219
569
(1)%
3%
231 (10)% (5)%
3%
(1)%
(5)% (3)%
778 $
785 $
800
(1)% (2)% —%
(1)%
709 $
622 $
551
14%
13%
14%
13%
83 $
77 $
467
491
550 $
568 $
82
520
602
7%
(5)%
(5)% (6)%
7%
(5)%
(1)% (4)%
(3)% (6)% —%
(4)%
516 $
412 $
353
25%
17%
25%
17%
328 $ 1,076 $ 2,145 (70)% (50)% (70)% (50)%
220 $
178 $
149
24%
20%
25%
16%
48
—
— 100% —
100% —
$ 1,629 $ 1,666 $ 1,525
(2)%
$19,960 $18,790 $18,380
6%
9%
2%
(1)% 10%
8%
3%
On a constant currency basis, global HUMIRA sales increased 19 percent in 2014 and 15 percent in
2013, primarily as a result of market growth across therapeutic categories and geographies, approval of
new indications, higher market share, and favorable pricing in certain geographies. AbbVie is pursuing
several new indications to help further differentiate HUMIRA from competing products and add to the
sustainability and future growth of HUMIRA.
AndroGel sales decreased 10 percent in both 2014 and 2013 primarily due to a decline in the overall
U.S. testosterone replacement market. The company expects this trend will continue. AndroGel sales for 2013
were impacted by rebates implemented during the second half of 2012, certain account losses in early
40
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
2013, and the moderation of market growth experienced in 2012. AndroGel 1% sales are expected to be
impacted by generic competition in early 2015.
Global sales of Kaletra declined in 2014 and 2013 primarily due to lower market share resulting from
the impact of increasing competition in the HIV marketplace.
Sales for Synagis increased 9 percent in both 2014 and 2013 primarily due to increased product uptake
in 2014 and 2013 compared to 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Synthroid sales increased 14 percent and 13 percent in 2014 and 2013, respectively, due to strong
brand loyalty and market leadership, and favorable pricing.
Sales of Sevoflurane, which were relatively flat in 2014 and declined 4 percent in 2013, continued to
be impacted by generic competition.
Sales of Creon in 2014 and 2013 grew by 25 percent and 17 percent, respectively, primarily driven by
market growth and higher market share. Creon maintains market leadership in the pancreatic enzyme
market.
Sales for AbbVie’s consolidated lipid franchise, which includes TriCor, Trilipix, Niaspan, Simcor and
Advicor, declined 70 percent in 2014 and 50 percent in 2013 due to the introduction of generic versions of
these products in the U.S. market. Generic competition began in November 2012 for TriCor, July 2013 for
Trilipix, and September 2013 for Niaspan.
Sales of Duodopa, AbbVie’s therapy for advanced Parkinson’s disease approved in Europe and other
international markets, increased 25 percent in 2014 and 16 percent in 2013. Duopa’s regulatory submission
in the United States was approved by the FDA in January 2015.
AbbVie launched its HCV regimen, VIEKIRA PAK, in the United States following FDA approval in
mid-December. Sales of VIEKIRA PAK reflect the shipment of launch quantities into the market to support
full commercial launch in January 2015. The European Commission granted marketing authorizations for
AbbVie’s HCV regimen, VIEKIRAX (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets) + Exviera (dasabuvir tablets), in
January 2015. AbbVie expects its HCV regimen to be a significant contributor to sales growth in 2015.
Gross Margin
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Gross margin
as a % of net sales
Percent
change
2014
$15,534
2013
$14,209
2012
$13,872
2014
9%
2013
2%
78%
76%
75%
The gross margin for 2014, 2013 and 2012 reflected the favorable impact of product mix across the
product portfolio, including HUMIRA, operational efficiencies, price increases, and lower amortization
expense for intangible assets, partially offset by the effect of unfavorable foreign exchange rates and, in
2014 and 2013, the loss of exclusivity for the lipid franchise. Gross margin in 2014 also includes royalty
income of $81 million relating to prior periods as a result of the settlement of a licensing arrangement,
partially offset by a $37 million impairment charge for an intangible asset.
Selling, General and Administrative
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Selling, general and administrative
as a % of net sales
Percent
change
2014
$7,724
2013
$5,352
2012
$4,989
2014
44%
2013
7%
39%
28%
27%
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
41
SG&A expenses in 2014 included transaction-related costs totaling $1.7 billion incurred in connection
with the terminated proposed combination with Shire. Refer to Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ for further
information regarding the termination of the company’s proposed combination with Shire.
Excluding the Shire break fee and transaction-related costs, the increase in SG&A expenses in 2014 and
2013 was due primarily to increased selling and marketing support for new products, including preparations
for the expected launch of VIEKIRA PAK, as well as spending relating to new indications and geographic
expansion for HUMIRA. These increases were partially offset by the impact of favorable foreign exchange
rates in 2014 and 2013. SG&A expenses in 2014, 2013 and 2012 include $422 million, $228 million and
$213 million, respectively, of costs associated with the separation of AbbVie from Abbott.
SG&A expenses in 2014 also included a $129 million charge due to additional expenses related to the
Branded Prescription Drug Fee. On July 28, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service issued final rules and
regulations for the Branded Prescription Drug Fee, an annual non-tax-deductible fee payable to the federal
government under the Affordable Care Act based on an allocation of a company’s market share for branded
prescription drugs sold to certain government programs in the prior year. The final rules accelerated the
expense recognition criteria for the fee obligation from the year in which the fee is paid, to the year in
which the market share used to allocate the fee is determined. This change required AbbVie and other
industry participants to recognize an additional year of expense in 2014. As a result, an additional expense
of $129 million was recognized in 2014. The final rules and regulations did not change the amount or
timing of annual fees to be paid.
SG&A expenses in 2013 included restructuring charges aggregating $39 million, which principally
related to the restructuring of certain commercial operations in conjunction with the loss and expected loss
of exclusivity of certain products and, in 2012, included litigation charges of $100 million related to an
investigation of the sales and marketing activities for Depakote which was resolved in May 2012.
Research and Development and Acquired In-Process Research and Development
Percent
change
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Research and development
as a % of net sales
Acquired in-process research and development
2014
$3,297
2013
$2,855
2012
$2,778
2014
15%
2013
3%
17%
15%
15%
$ 352
$ 338
$ 288
4%
17%
R&D expense in 2014 and 2013 reflected funding to support the company’s emerging mid- and
late-stage pipeline assets and the continued pursuit of additional HUMIRA indications. These increases were
partially offset by the impact of favorable foreign exchange rate fluctuations in 2014 and 2013. R&D
expense included regulatory milestone payments of $40 million in 2014 and $50 million in 2012 related to
the company’s collaboration. R&D expenses also included restructuring charges of $15 million in 2013 and
$183 million in 2012.
Acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D) expense in 2014 principally included a charge
of $275 million as a result of entering into a global collaboration with Infinity to develop and commercialize
duvelisib, a treatment for patients with cancer. Refer to Note 6, ‘‘Acquisitions, Collaborations and Other
Arrangements,’’ of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data,’’ for additional information related to the company’s collaborations
and other arrangements.
IPR&D expense in 2013 principally included a charge of $175 million as a result of entering into a global
license agreement with Ablynx to develop and commercialize ALX-0061, a charge of $70 million as a result of
entering into a global collaboration with Alvine to develop ALV003, a charge of $45 million as a result of
42
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
entering into a global collaboration with Galapagos for cystic fibrosis therapies, and charges totaling
$48 million as a result of entering into several other arrangements.
IPR&D expense in 2012 included a charge of $110 million for the acquisition of ABT-719, a charge of
$150 million as a result of entering into a global collaboration to develop and commercialize an oral,
next-generation JAK1 inhibitor, and a charge of $28 million as a result of entering into a two-year
collaboration agreement to research, develop, and commercialize up to three compounds with
Antibody-Drug Conjugate approaches.
Other Expense
Other expense in 2014 consisted of a $750 million charge related to an R&D collaboration agreement
with Calico to discover, develop, and commercialize new therapies for patients with age-related diseases.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net of $391 million in 2014, $278 million in 2013, and $84 million in 2012 was
comprised primarily of interest expense on outstanding debt. In November 2012, AbbVie issued
$14.7 billion of long-term debt with maturities ranging from three to 30 years and entered into interest
rate swaps with various financial institutions, which converted $8.0 billion of its fixed rate interest rate debt
to floating interest rate debt. Commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was
$416 million, $400 million and $1.0 billion, respectively.
Interest expense, net in 2014 also included $141 million of financing related fees incurred in
connection with the terminated proposed combination with Shire and, in 2012, bridge facility fees related
to the separation from Abbott.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net, includes income from the resolution of certain contractual agreements, fair value
adjustments to contingent consideration, and impairments of equity securities. Other income, net in 2014
primarily consisted of income of $34 million from the resolution of a contractual agreement.
Income Tax Expense
The effective income tax rate was 25 percent in 2014, 23 percent in 2013, and 8 percent in 2012. The
effective tax rate fluctuates from year to year due to the allocation of the company’s taxable earnings
among jurisdictions, as well as certain discrete factors and events in each year, including acquisitions and
collaborations. The increase in the effective income tax rate in 2014 was principally driven by state
valuation allowances of $129 million and additional expenses of $129 million related to the Branded
Prescription Drug Fee, which is non-deductible. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2013 over 2012 is
principally due to income tax expense related to certain 2013 earnings outside the United States that are
not expected to be indefinitely reinvested, as well as the absence of $195 million of tax benefits recorded
in 2012 as a result of the favorable resolution of various tax positions pertaining to a prior year.
Transition from Abbott and Cost to Operate as an Independent Company
AbbVie has and will continue to incur additional ongoing operating expenses to operate as an
independent company, including the cost of various corporate headquarters functions, incremental
information technology-related costs, and incremental costs to operate a stand-alone back office
infrastructure outside the United States.
AbbVie’s transition services agreements with Abbott in the United States cover certain corporate support
services that AbbVie has historically received from Abbott. Such services include information technology,
accounts payable, payroll, and other financial functions, as well as engineering support for various facilities,
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
43
quality assurance support, and other administrative services. The terms of the services under the
agreements vary by activity. These agreements facilitate the separation by allowing AbbVie to operate
independently prior to establishing stand-alone back office functions across its organization.
As of the date of the separation, AbbVie did not have sufficient back office infrastructure to operate in
markets outside the United States. As a result, AbbVie entered into transition services agreements with
Abbott to provide services outside the United States, including back office services in certain countries, for
up to three years after separation. These back office services include information technology, accounts
payable, payroll, receivables collection, treasury, and other financial functions, as well as order entry,
warehousing, and other administrative services. These transition services agreements have allowed AbbVie
to operate its international pharmaceuticals business independently prior to establishing a stand-alone back
office infrastructure for all countries. During the transition from Abbott, AbbVie has and will continue to
incur non-recurring expenses to expand its international infrastructure. In addition, in certain international
markets as of the date of the separation and as of December 31, 2014, certain marketing authorizations to
sell AbbVie’s products continued to be held by Abbott until such authorizations could be transferred
through the applicable regulatory channels.
It is not practicable to estimate the costs that would have been incurred in each of the periods
presented in the historical financial statements for the functions described above. Actual costs that would
have been incurred if AbbVie operated as a stand-alone company during these periods would have
depended on various factors including organizational design, outsourcing, and other strategic decisions
related to corporate functions, information technology, and international back office infrastructure. Refer to
Note 1 entitled ‘‘Background and Basis of Presentation’’ of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ for further description of
transactions between AbbVie and Abbott.
FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Cash flows provided by/(used in):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
2014
2013
2012
$ 3,549
(926)
(3,293)
$ 6,267
879
(3,442)
$ 6,345
(2,418)
1,931
Cash flows provided by operations in 2014 was $3.5 billion compared to $6.3 billion in 2013. The
decrease was primarily due to after-tax transaction and financing-related and other costs of $1.8 billion
incurred in connection with the termination of the proposed combination with Shire, including net foreign
exchange losses related to the settlement of undesignated forward contracts used to hedge anticipated
foreign currency cash outflows and the exit of certain foreign currency positions. The decrease was also
due to the timing of U.S. wholesaler collections and an investment in inventory in preparation for the
launch of AbbVie’s interferon-free HCV combination in the United States starting in mid-December 2014 and
in the European Union in January 2015. The decrease was also due to an increase in AbbVie’s voluntary
contribution to its main domestic defined benefit pension plan, which was $370 million in 2014 and
$145 million in 2013. AbbVie also made a voluntary contribution of $150 million to this plan subsequent to
December 31, 2014.
In 2014, cash outflows related to collaborations, acquisitions, and other arrangements totaled $622 million,
including $275 million paid to Infinity related to a global collaboration to develop duvelisib (IPI-145), and
$250 million to fund a novel R&D collaboration with Calico. AbbVie accrued an additional $500 million payment
to Calico in 2014 due to the satisfaction of certain conditions under the R&D collaboration, which was
subsequently paid in 2015. In 2013, cash outflows related to collaborations, acquisitions, and other
arrangements totaled $405 million, including $175 million related to the global collaboration with Ablynx NV
and $70 million related to a global collaboration with Alvine. Cash flows from investing activities
44
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
in 2014 also reflected capital expenditures, including the purchase of a small molecule active
pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility in Singapore, and net sales (purchases) of short-term
investments.
In 2014 and 2013, the company issued and redeemed commercial paper. The balance of commercial
paper outstanding was $416 million and $400 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. AbbVie
may issue additional commercial paper or retire commercial paper to meet liquidity requirements as
needed.
Cash dividend payments totaled $2.7 billion in 2014 and $2.6 billion in 2013. On October 20, 2014, the
board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.49 per share for stockholders of record at the
close of business on January 15, 2015, payable on February 13, 2015. The timing, declaration, amount of,
and payment of any dividends is within the discretion of AbbVie’s board of directors and will depend upon
many factors, including AbbVie’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of its operating
subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of AbbVie’s debt service obligations, legal requirements,
regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets, and other factors deemed relevant
by its board of directors.
In February 2013, AbbVie’s board of directors authorized a $1.5 billion common stock repurchase
program, which was effective immediately. In October 2014, AbbVie’s board of directors authorized a new
$5.0 billion stock repurchase program, which was effective immediately and superseded the prior
authorization. Under these programs, the company repurchased approximately 9 million shares for
$550 million in the open market in 2014 and approximately 4 million shares for $223 million in the open
market in 2013. Purchases of AbbVie shares may be made from time to time at management’s discretion.
The program has no time limit and can be discontinued at any time. AbbVie’s remaining share repurchase
authorization was $4.7 billion as of December 31, 2014.
Cash and equivalents in 2014 was also impacted by net unfavorable exchange rate changes totaling
$577 million principally due to the impact of the substantial weakening of the Euro in 2014 on the
translation of the company’s Euro-denominated assets, and the weakening of foreign currencies in
combination with an increased concentration of cash denominated in foreign currencies accumulated in
anticipation of the terminated proposed combination with Shire. While a significant portion of cash and
equivalents at December 31, 2014 are considered reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries, AbbVie does
not expect such reinvestment to affect its liquidity and capital resources. If these funds were needed for
operations in the United States, AbbVie would be required to accrue and pay U.S. income taxes to
repatriate these funds. AbbVie believes that it has sufficient sources of liquidity to support its assumption
that the disclosed amount of undistributed earnings at December 31, 2014 has been reinvested indefinitely.
Substantially all of AbbVie’s trade receivables in Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain are with
governmental health systems. AbbVie continues to monitor the economic health of the economy in
Southern Europe, as heightened economic concerns still exist. Outstanding net governmental receivables in
these countries at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
(in millions)
Greece
Portugal
Italy
Spain
Total
Net receivables
2014
$ 30
27
176
213
$446
2013
$ 37
59
245
440
$781
Net receivables
over one year
past due
2014
$ —
7
16
10
$33
2013
$ —
3
22
135
$160
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
45
AbbVie monitors economic conditions, the creditworthiness of customers, and government regulations
and funding, both domestically and abroad. AbbVie regularly communicates with its customers regarding
the status of receivable balances, including their payment plans and obtains positive confirmation of the
validity of the receivables. AbbVie establishes an allowance against accounts receivable when it is probable
they will not be collected. AbbVie also monitors the potential for and periodically has utilized factoring
arrangements to mitigate credit risk although the receivables included in such arrangements have
historically not been a material amount of total outstanding receivables. Currently, AbbVie does not believe
the economic conditions in Southern Europe will have a material impact on the company’s liquidity, cash
flow, or financial flexibility. However, if government funding were to become unavailable in these countries
or if significant adverse changes in their reimbursement practices were to occur, AbbVie may not be able to
collect the entire balance outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
Credit Facility, Access to Capital and Credit Ratings
Credit Facility
Prior to October 2014, AbbVie was party to a $2.0 billion unsecured five-year revolving credit facility
from a syndicate of lenders, which also supported commercial paper borrowings. The credit facility enabled
the company to borrow funds at floating interest rates. In October 2014, AbbVie replaced its existing
revolving credit facility with a new $3.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility. The new revolving credit
facility enables the company to borrow funds on an unsecured basis at variable interest rates and contains
various covenants.
At December 31, 2014, the company was in compliance with its credit facility covenants. Commitment
fees under the credit facility were not material. There were no amounts outstanding under the credit
facility as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Access to Capital
The company intends to fund short-term and long-term financial obligations as they mature through
cash on hand, future cash flows from operations, or by issuing additional debt. The company’s ability to
generate cash flows from operations, issue debt, or enter into financing arrangements on acceptable terms
could be adversely affected if there is a material decline in the demand for the company’s products or in
the solvency of its customers or suppliers, deterioration in the company’s key financial ratios or credit
ratings, or other material unfavorable changes in business conditions. At the current time, the company
believes it has sufficient financial flexibility to issue debt, enter into other financing arrangements, and
attract long-term capital on acceptable terms to support the company’s growth objectives.
Credit Ratings
On July 18, 2014, following the announcement of the proposed combination with Shire, Moody’s
Investor Service affirmed its Baa1 senior unsecured long-term rating and Prime-2 short-term rating and
revised its ratings outlook to ‘‘stable’’ from ‘‘positive’’. In addition, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P)
placed its ‘‘A’’ corporate credit rating and senior unsecured debt rating on AbbVie on CreditWatch with
negative implications. On October 21, 2014, S&P affirmed AbbVie’s ‘‘A’’ corporate credit rating and senior
unsecured debt rating and removed the negative credit watch. S&P affirmed its ‘‘A-1’’ commercial paper
rating and did not place it on CreditWatch. There were no other changes in the company’s credit ratings in
2014.
Unfavorable changes to the ratings may have an adverse impact on future financing arrangements;
however, they would not affect the company’s ability to draw on its credit facility and would not result in
an acceleration of scheduled maturities of any of the company’s outstanding debt.
46
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2014 Form 10-K
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes AbbVie’s estimated contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014.
(in millions)
Short-term borrowings
Research and development collaborations(a)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations,
including current portion
Interest on long-term debt(b)
Future minimum non-cancelable operating lease
commitments
Purchase obligations and other(c)
Other long-term liabilities(d)
Total
Total
Less than
one year
One to
three years
Three to More than
five years
five years
$
425
500
$ 425
500
$ —
—
$ — $ —
—
—
14,815
4,604
4,021
303
4,037
685
1,020
517
5,737
3,099
562
863
930
114
818
174
195
38
193
155
5
154
98
2
409
$22,699
$6,355
$5,148
$1,851
$9,345
(a) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities includes a $500 million accrual for a payment to Calico due to
the satisfaction of certain conditions under the R&D collaboration, which was paid in the first quarter
of 2015.
(b)
Includes estimated future interest payments on long-term debt securities and capital lease obligations.
Interest payments on debt are calculated for future periods using interest rates in effect at the end of
2014. Projected interest payments include the related effects of interest rate swap agreements. Certain
of these projected interest payments may differ in the future based on changes in floating interest
rates or other factors or events. The projected interest payments only pertain to obligations and
agreements outstanding at December 31, 2014. Refer to Notes 9 and 10 for further discussion
regarding the company’s debt instruments and related interest rate agreements outstanding at
December 31, 2014. Annual interest on capital lease obligations is not material.
(c)
Includes the company’s significant unconditional purchase obligations. These commitments do not
exceed the company’s projected requirements and are made in the normal course of business.
(d) Amounts less than one year includes a voluntary contribution of $150 million AbbVie made to its main
domestic defined benefit plan subsequent to December 31, 2014. Amounts otherwise exclude pension
and other post-employment benefits and related deferred compensation cash outflows. Timing of
funding is uncertain and dependent on future movements in interest rates and investment returns,
changes in laws and regulations, and other variables. Also included in this amount are components of
other long-term liabilities including restructuring. Refer to Notes 8 and 11 for further information.
AbbVie enters into R&D collaboration arrangements with third parties that may require future
milestone payments to third parties contingent upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory,
or commercial milestones. Individually, these arrangements are not material in any one annual reporting
period. However, if milestones for multiple products covered by these arrangements would happen to be
reached in the same reporting period, the aggregate charge to expense could be material to the results of
operations in that period. From a business perspective, the payments are viewed as positive because they
signify that the product is successfully moving through development and is now generating or is more likely
to generate cash flows from product sales. It is not possible to predict with reasonable certainty whether
these milestones will be achieved or the timing for achievement. As a result, these potential payments are
not included in the table of contractual obligations. Refer to Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements
for further discussion of these collaboration arrangements.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
47
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. A summary of the company’s significant
accounting policies is included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. Certain of these policies
are considered critical as these most significantly impact the company’s financial condition and results of
operations and require the most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need
to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results may vary from
these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
AbbVie recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred,
the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured. Revenue
from product sales is recognized when title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
Rebates
AbbVie provides rebates to pharmacy benefit management companies, state agencies that administer
the federal Medicaid program, insurance companies that administer Medicare drug plans, wholesalers,
group purchasing organizations, and other government agencies and private entities. Rebate amounts are
usually based upon the volume of purchases using contractual or statutory prices for a product. For each
type of rebate, the factors used in the calculations of the accrual for that rebate include the identification
of which products have been sold subject to the rebate, which customer or government agency price terms
apply for that rebate, and the estimated lag time between sale and payment of the rebate. Using historical
trends for that rebate, adjusted for current changes, AbbVie estimates the amount of the rebate that will
be paid, and records the liability as a reduction of gross sales when AbbVie records its sale of the product.
Settlement of the rebate generally occurs from two to eight months after sale. AbbVie regularly analyzes
the historical rebate trends and makes adjustments to reserves for changes in trends and terms of rebate
programs.
Rebate and chargeback accruals are recorded in the same period as the related sales, and are
reflected as a reduction of sales. Rebates and chargebacks in 2014, 2013 and 2012 totaled $5.9 billion,
$4.9 billion, and $4.3 billion, respectively, or 29 percent, 30 percent, and 28 percent, respectively, of the
gross sales subject to rebate. A one-percentage point increase in the percentage of rebates to related
annual gross sales would decrease net sales by $201 million in 2014. AbbVie considers a one-percentage
point increase to be a reasonably likely increase in the percentage of rebates to related gross sales. Other
allowances for cash discounts and returns charged against gross sales were $610 million, $748 million, and
$667 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Management analyzes the adequacy of ending rebate accrual balances each quarter. In the United
States, the most significant charges against gross sales are for Medicaid and Medicare rebates, managed
care rebates, and wholesaler chargebacks. Medicaid rebates relate to the Federal Medicaid program, which
is administered by state agencies, whereby rebates are provided to participating state and local government
entities under various laws and regulations and in some cases supplemental rebates are also provided to
the states under contractual agreements. Medicare rebates are negotiated with managed care organizations
that manage prescription drug plans covering the Medicare Part D drug benefit. Pharmacy benefit manager
rebates arise from contractual agreements with private health care plans that seek to reduce costs by
negotiating discounts with pharmaceuticals manufacturers. Under wholesaler chargeback programs, the
wholesaler charges AbbVie back for the difference between the price paid by the wholesaler to AbbVie and
the price paid by the end customer to the wholesaler under contractual discount agreements negotiated
between AbbVie and the end customer. In order to evaluate the adequacy of the ending accrual balances,
48
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
for each type of rebate, management uses both internal and external data to estimate the level of
inventory in the distribution channel and the rebate claims processing lag time for that rebate. External
data sources used to estimate the inventory in the distribution channel include inventory levels periodically
reported by wholesalers. Management estimates the processing lag time based on periodic sampling of
claims data. To estimate the rebate percentage or net price, systems and calculations are used to track
sales by product and by customer or payer and to estimate the contractual or statutory rebate or net price.
AbbVie believes its systems and calculations are reliable.
The following table is an analysis of the three largest rebate accruals and chargeback allowances,
which comprise approximately 82 percent of the total consolidated rebate provisions charged against
revenues in 2014. Remaining rebate provisions charged against gross sales are not significant in the
determination of operating earnings.
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2011
Provisions
Payments
Balance at December 31, 2012
Provisions
Payments
Balance at December 31, 2013
Provisions
Payments
Balance at December 31, 2014
Medicaid
and
Medicare
Rebates
$
720
1,077
(990)
807
1,028
(1,168)
667
1,015
(970)
Managed
Care
Rebates
$ 506
830
(840)
496
846
(883)
459
970
(953)
Wholesaler
Chargebacks
$
171
1,645
(1,592)
224
2,362
(2,374)
212
2,825
(2,784)
$
712
$ 476
$
253
Historically, adjustments to prior years’ rebate accruals have not been material to net income. AbbVie
employs various techniques to verify the accuracy of claims submitted to it, and where possible, works with
the organizations submitting claims to gain insight into changes that might affect the rebate amounts. For
Medicaid, Medicare, and other government agency programs, the calculation of a rebate involves
interpretations of relevant regulations, which are subject to challenge or change in interpretation.
Cash Discounts and Returns
Cash discounts can be reliably estimated. Product returns can be reliably estimated because AbbVie’s
historical returns are low, and because sales return terms and other sales terms have remained relatively
unchanged for several periods.
Pension and Post-Employment Benefits
AbbVie engages outside actuaries to assist in the determination of the obligations and costs under the
plans that are direct obligations of AbbVie. The valuation of the funded status and the net periodic benefit
cost for these plans are calculated using actuarial assumptions. The significant assumptions, which are
reviewed annually, include the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and the
health care cost trend rates. The significant assumptions used in determining these calculations are
disclosed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
The discount rate is selected based on current market rates on high-quality, fixed-income investments
at December 31 each year. AbbVie employs a yield-curve approach for countries where a robust bond
market exists. The yield curve is developed using high-quality bonds. The discount rate is the single rate
that equates the discounted cash flows to the rates utilizing the yield curve. As a result, the yield-curve
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
49
approach reflects the specific cash flows for plans (i.e. duration) in calculating the discount rate. For other
countries, AbbVie reviews various indices such as corporate bond and government bond benchmarks to
estimate the discount rate. AbbVie’s assumed discount rate has a significant effect on the amounts reported
for defined benefit pension and post-employment plans as of December 31, 2014, and will be used in the
calculation of net periodic benefit cost in 2015. A 50 basis point change in the assumed discount rate
would have had the following effects on AbbVie’s calculation of net periodic benefit costs in 2015 and
projected benefit obligations as of December 31, 2014:
(in millions)
Defined benefit plans
Service cost and interest cost
Projected benefit obligation
Other post-employment plans
Service cost and interest cost
Projected benefit obligation
50 basis point
Increase
Decrease
$ (53)
(466)
$
(6)
(50)
$ 59
540
$
7
58
The expected long-term rate of return is based on the asset allocation, historical performance, and the
current view of expected future returns. AbbVie considers these inputs with a long-term focus to avoid
short-term market influences. The current long-term rate of return on plan assets is supported by the
historical performance of the trust’s actual and target asset allocation. AbbVie’s assumed expected
long-term rate of return has a significant effect on the amounts reported for defined benefit pension plans
as of December 31, 2014 and will be used in the calculation of net periodic benefit cost in 2015. As of
December 31, 2014, a 1 percentage point change in assumed expected long-term rate of return on plan
assets would have increased or decreased the net period benefit cost of these plans in 2015 by
$42 million.
The health care cost trend rate is selected by reviewing historical trends and current views on
projected future health care cost increases. The current health care cost trend rate is supported by the
historical trend experience of the plan. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on
the amounts reported for health care plans as of December 31, 2014 and will be used in the calculation of
net periodic benefit cost in 2015. A 1 percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates
would have the following effects on AbbVie’s calculation of net periodic benefit costs in 2015 and projected
benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014:
(in millions)
Service cost and interest cost
Projected benefit obligation
Income Taxes
One percentage
point
Increase
Decrease
$ 21
121
$(16)
(92)
AbbVie accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Provisions for federal, state,
and foreign income taxes are calculated on reported pretax earnings based on current tax laws. Deferred
taxes are provided using enacted tax rates on the future tax consequences of temporary differences, which
are the differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases and the tax benefits of carryforwards. A valuation allowance is established or
maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion
of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
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2014 Form 10-K
Litigation
The company is subject to contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims, that arise in the normal
course of business. Refer to Note 14 for further information. Loss contingency provisions are recorded for
probable losses at management’s best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a
minimum loss contingency amount within a probable range is recorded. Accordingly, AbbVie is often initially
unable to develop a best estimate of loss, and therefore the minimum amount, which could be zero, is
recorded. As information becomes known, either the minimum loss amount is increased, resulting in
additional loss provisions, or a best estimate can be made, also resulting in additional loss provisions.
Occasionally, a best estimate amount is changed to a lower amount when events result in an expectation of
a more favorable outcome than previously expected. There were no significant litigation reserves at
December 31, 2014.
Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
AbbVie has acquired and may continue to acquire significant intangible assets in connection with
business combinations that AbbVie records at fair value. Transactions involving the purchase or sale of
intangible assets occur with some frequency between companies in the pharmaceuticals industry, and
valuations are usually based on a discounted cash flow analysis incorporating the stage of completion. The
discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash flows,
risk, cost of capital, terminal values, and market participants. Each of these factors can significantly affect
the value of the intangible asset. IPR&D acquired in a business combination is capitalized as an indefinite-
lived intangible asset until regulatory approval is obtained, at which time, it is accounted for as a definite-
lived asset and amortized over its estimated useful life. IPR&D acquired in transactions that are not
business combinations is expensed immediately, unless deemed to have an alternative future use. Payments
made to third parties subsequent to regulatory approval are capitalized and amortized over the remaining
useful life.
AbbVie reviews the recoverability of definite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill and indefinite-lived
intangible assets, which relate to IPR&D, are reviewed for impairment annually or when an event that could
result in an impairment occurs. Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for further
information.
Annually, the company tests its goodwill for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to
determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount. Some of
the factors considered in the assessment include general macro-economic conditions, conditions specific to
the industry and market, cost factors, which could have a significant effect on earnings or cash flows, the
overall financial performance, and whether there have been sustained declines in the company’s share
price. If the company concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of reporting unit is less than
its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is performed. AbbVie tests indefinite-lived intangible
assets using a quantitative impairment test.
For its quantitative impairment tests, the company uses an estimated future cash flow approach that
requires significant judgment with respect to future volume, revenue and expense growth rates, changes in
working capital use, foreign currency exchange rates, the selection of an appropriate discount rate, asset
groupings, and other assumptions and estimates. The estimates and assumptions used are consistent with
the company’s business plans and a market participant’s views of a company and similar companies. The
use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of the
assets, and potentially result in different impacts to the company’s results of operations. Actual results may
differ from the company’s estimates.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, goodwill and intangible assets, net of amortization totaled $7.4 billion
and $8.2 billion, respectively, and amortization expense for intangible assets was $403 million, $509 million, and
$625 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. There were no impairments of goodwill in 2014, 2013 or
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
51
2012. In 2014, AbbVie recorded an impairment charge of $37 million related to certain on-market product
rights in Japan due to increased generic competition. The charge was included in cost of products sold. In
2012, AbbVie recorded impairment charges of $13 million for certain projects under development. These
charges were included in R&D expense. There were no impairment charges recorded in 2013.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU)
No. 2014-09, Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). The amendments in ASU
2014-09 supersede most current revenue recognition requirements. The core principal of the new guidance
is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to
customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in
exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not
permitted. AbbVie can apply the amendments using one of the following two methods: (i) retrospectively
to each prior reporting period presented, or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially
applying the amendments recognized at the date of initial application. AbbVie is currently assessing the
impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
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2014 Form 10-K
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The company is exposed to risk that its earnings, cash flows, and equity could be adversely impacted
by changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. Certain derivative instruments are used when
available on a cost-effective basis to hedge the company’s underlying economic exposures. Refer to Note 10
entitled ‘‘Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures’’ of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included under Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ for further information regarding
the company’s financial instruments and hedging strategies.
Foreign Currency Risk
AbbVie’s primary net foreign currency exposures are the Euro, British pound, and Japanese yen.
Various AbbVie foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage
exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated transactions denominated in a currency
other than the functional currency of the local entity. These contracts are designated as cash flow hedges
of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and are
marked-to-market with the resulting gains or losses reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in
AbbVie’s consolidated balance sheets. Deferred gains or losses on these contracts are included in cost of
products sold at the time the products are sold to a third party, generally not exceeding twelve months. At
December 31, 2014 and 2013, AbbVie held $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, in notional amounts of
such contracts.
AbbVie enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign
currency denominated trade payables and receivables and intercompany loans. The contracts, which are not
designated as hedges, are marked-to-market, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in net foreign
exchange on AbbVie’s consolidated statements of earnings and are generally offset by losses or gains on
the foreign currency exposure being managed. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, AbbVie held notional
amounts of $6.8 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, of such foreign currency forward exchange contracts.
The following table reflects the total foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at December 31,
2014 and 2013.
(in millions)
Receive primarily U.S. dollars in exchange for
the following currencies:
Euro
British pound
Japanese yen
All other currencies
Total
2014
Weighted
average
exchange
rate
Fair and
carrying
value
receivable/
(payable)
1.263
1.618
116.9
N/A
$114
21
6
7
$148
2013
Weighted
average
exchange
rate
Fair and
carrying
value
receivable/
(payable)
1.359
1.638
103.2
N/A
$(56)
(3)
7
(4)
$(56)
Contract
amount
$4,650
492
401
1,308
$6,851
Contract
amount
$6,342
563
333
930
$8,168
The company estimates that a 10 percent appreciation in the underlying currencies being hedged from
their levels against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant, would decrease the fair value of
foreign exchange forward contracts by $790 million at December 31, 2014. If realized, this appreciation
would negatively affect earnings over the remaining life of the contacts. A 10 percent appreciation is
believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in foreign currencies. Gains and losses on the
hedging instruments offset losses and gains on the hedged transactions and reduce the earnings and
stockholders’ equity volatility relating to foreign exchange.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
53
The company estimates that a 10 percent depreciation of AbbVie’s most significant foreign currency
positions against the U.S. dollar would cause a foreign exchange loss on cash and short-term investments of
$611 million at December 31, 2014. A 10 percent depreciation is believed to be a reasonably possible
near-term change in these currencies.
The company’s Venezuelan operations continue to report with the U.S. dollar as the functional
currency due to the hyperinflationary status of the Venezuelan economy. Currency restrictions enacted in
Venezuela require AbbVie to obtain approval from the Venezuelan government to exchange Venezuelan
bolivars for U.S. dollars and require such exchange to be made at the official exchange rate established by
the government. Effective February 8, 2013, the Venezuelan government devalued the official exchange rate
from 4.3 to 6.3, which resulted in a loss of $11 million in 2013 that was recorded in net foreign exchange
loss on the consolidated statement of earnings.
In the first quarter of 2014, the Venezuelan government expanded the number of exchange
mechanisms to three rates of exchange. As of December 31, 2014, these were the CENCOEX rate of 6.3
(the official rate); the SICAD I rate at approximately 12; and the SICAD II rate at approximately 50. In
February 2015, the Venezuelan government confirmed the official exchange rate of 6.3 Venezuelan bolivars
per U.S. dollar will be used for settlement of food and medicine purchases. The company continues to use
the official rate of 6.3 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar to report its Venezuela financial position, results
of operations and cash flows, since the company believes that the nature of AbbVie’s business operations
qualify for the official rate as permitted by law. The company cannot predict whether there will be further
devaluations of the Venezuelan currency or whether the use of the official rate of 6.3 will continue to be
supported by evolving facts and circumstances. If circumstances change such that the company concludes it
would be appropriate to use a different rate, or if a devaluation of the official rate occurs, it could result in
a significant change to AbbVie’s results of operations. At December 31, 2014, AbbVie had approximately
$240 million of net monetary assets denominated in the Venezuelan bolivar (converted at a rate
of 6.3 VEF/USD) in its Venezuelan entity, which had net sales of $240 million in 2014. If AbbVie’s net
monetary assets denominated in the Venezuelan bolivar had been converted at a rate of 12 VEF/USD at
December 31, 2014, it would have resulted in a devaluation loss of $114 million in 2014.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate swaps are used to manage the company’s exposure of changes in interest rates on the
fair value of fixed-rate debt. The effect of these hedges is to change the fixed interest rate to a variable
rate. AbbVie does not use derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps, to manage its exposure to
changes in interest rates for investment securities. At both December 31, 2014 and 2013, AbbVie had
interest rate hedge contracts totaling $8.0 billion. The company estimates that an increase in the interest
rates of 100-basis points would decrease the fair value of our interest rate swap contracts by approximately
$348 million at December 31, 2014. If realized, the fair value reduction would affect earnings over the
remaining life of the contracts. The company estimates that an increase of 100-basis points in long-term
interest rates would decrease the fair value of long-term debt by $758 million at December 31, 2014. A
100-basis point change is believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in interest rates.
Market Price Sensitive Investments
AbbVie holds equity securities from strategic technology acquisitions that are traded on public stock
exchanges. The fair value of these investments was approximately $82 million and $49 million as of
December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. AbbVie monitors these investments for other than temporary
declines in market value, and charges impairment losses to income when an other than temporary decline
in value occurs. A hypothetical 20 percent decrease in the share prices of these investments would have
had an immaterial decrease to their fair value at December 31, 2014. A 20 percent decrease is believed to
be a reasonably possible near-term change in share prices.
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2014 Form 10-K
Non-Publicly Traded Equity Securities
AbbVie holds equity securities from strategic technology acquisitions that are not traded on public
stock exchanges. The carrying value of these investments was approximately $63 million and $58 million as
of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. AbbVie monitors these investments for other than temporary
declines in market value, and charges impairment losses to income when an other than temporary decline
in estimated value occurs.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
55
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page
57
58
59
60
61
62
100
101
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2014 Form 10-K
AbbVie Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share data)
2014
2013
2012
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Selling, general and administrative
Research and development
Acquired in-process research and development
Other expense
Total operating costs and expenses
Operating earnings
Interest expense, net
Net foreign exchange loss
Other income, net
Earnings before income tax expense
Income tax expense
Net earnings
Per share data
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Cash dividends declared per common share
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding
$19,960
$18,790
$18,380
4,426
7,724
3,297
352
750
4,581
5,352
2,855
338
—
4,508
4,989
2,778
288
—
16,549
13,126
12,563
3,411
5,664
5,817
391
678
(27)
2,369
595
278
55
(1)
5,332
1,204
84
17
(9)
5,725
450
$ 1,774
$ 4,128
$ 5,275
$ 1.11
$ 1.10
$ 1.75
$ 2.58
$ 2.56
$ 2.00(a)
$ 3.35
$ 3.35
n/a
1,595
1,610
1,589
1,604
1,577(b)
1,577(b)
(a) On January 4, 2013, a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock was declared from
pre-separation earnings and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. Refer to Note 12
for additional information regarding cash dividends declared in 2013.
(b) On January 1, 2013, Abbott Laboratories distributed 1,577 million shares of AbbVie common stock. For
periods prior to the separation, the weighted-average basic and diluted shares outstanding was based
on the number of shares of AbbVie common stock outstanding on the distribution date. Refer to
Note 5 for information regarding the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for
the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
57
AbbVie Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Net earnings
2014
2013
2012
$ 1,774
$4,128
$5,275
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (benefit) expense of
$(158) in 2014 and $71 in 2013
(1,073)
48
173
Pension and post-employment benefits, net of tax (benefit) expense of
$(351) in 2014, $309 in 2013, and $(24) in 2012
(781)
598
(150)
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable equity securities, net of tax expense
(benefit) of $1 in 2014, $— in 2013, and $(15) in 2012
Hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $8 in 2014, $— in 2013, and
$(8) in 2012
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Comprehensive income
1
1
264
(1,589)
(77)
570
(25)
(27)
(29)
$
185
$4,698
$5,246
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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AbbVie Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
as of December 31 (in millions, except share data)
2014
2013
Assets
Current assets
Cash and equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts and other receivables, net
Inventories, net
Income tax receivable
Deferred income taxes
Prepaid expenses and other
Total current assets
Investments
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net of amortization
Goodwill
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Total current liabilities
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt and lease obligations
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 4,000,000,000 shares, issued
1,609,519,046 and 1,594,260,996 shares as of December 31, 2014 and 2013,
respectively
Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 18,129,715 and 6,900,434 shares as of
December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively
Additional paid-in-capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and equity
$ 8,348
26
3,735
1,124
556
896
1,403
$ 9,595
300
3,854
1,150
949
766
1,234
16,088
17,848
92
2,485
1,513
5,862
1,507
118
2,298
1,890
6,277
767
$27,547
$29,198
$
425
4,021
6,954
11,400
$
413
18
6,448
6,879
3,840
10,565
3,535
14,292
16
16
(972)
4,194
535
(2,031)
1,742
(320)
3,671
1,567
(442)
4,492
$27,547
$29,198
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
59
Common Treasury
Accumulated
other
comprehensive Retained
earnings
loss
Net parent
company
investment
Total
$
(25)
—
—
$ — $ 11,957
5,275
—
$ 11,932
5,275
—
(13,519)
(13,519)
AbbVie Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity
years ended December 31
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2011
Net earnings
Net transactions with Abbott
Laboratories
Assumption of accumulated
unrealized losses on pension and
other post-employment benefits,
net of tax benefit of $36
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at December 31, 2012
Separation-related adjustments
Reclassification of parent company
net investment in connection with
separation
Issuance of common stock at
separation
Net earnings
Other comprehensive income, net of
tax
Dividends declared
Share repurchases
Stock-based compensation plans and
other
Balance at December 31, 2013
Net earnings
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Dividends declared
Share repurchases
Stock-based compensation plans and
other
Balance at December 31, 2014
Common
shares
outstanding
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,577
—
—
—
(4)
14
1,587
—
—
—
(9)
13
1,591
stock
$ —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
16
—
—
—
—
—
16
—
—
—
—
—
Additional
paid-in
capital
$ —
—
—
—
—
—
(1,316)
4,420
(16)
—
—
—
—
583
3,671
—
—
—
—
stock
$ —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(223)
(97)
(320)
—
—
—
(550)
(296)
(29)
(350)
(662)
—
—
—
570
—
—
—
(442)
—
(1,589)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
3,713
707
(296)
(29)
3,363
(1,271)
—
(4,420)
—
—
4,128
—
(2,561)
—
—
1,567
1,774
—
(2,806)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,128
570
(2,561)
(223)
486
4,492
1,774
(1,589)
(2,806)
(550)
421
(102)
523
—
—
$16
$(972)
$ 4,194
$(2,031)
$
535
$
— $ 1,742
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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2014 Form 10-K
AbbVie Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
years ended December 31 (in millions) (brackets denote cash outflows)
2014
2013
2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation
Amortization of intangible assets
Stock-based compensation
Upfront costs related to collaborations and acquired in-process research and
development
Other, net
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts and other receivables
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Accounts payable and other liabilities
$ 1,774
$ 4,128
$ 5,275
383
403
241
1,102
434
(172)
(203)
(220)
(193)
388
509
212
338
34
681
(56)
459
(426)
525
625
187
288
66
223
(203)
90
(731)
Cash flows from operating activities
3,549(a)
6,267
6,345
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired
Acquisitions of property and equipment
Purchases of investment securities
Sales and maturities of investment securities
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in short-term borrowings
Dividends paid
Purchases of treasury stock
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Net transactions with Abbott Laboratories, excluding noncash items
Other, net
Cash flows from financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents
Net (decrease) increase in cash and equivalents
Cash and equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and equivalents, end of year
Other supplemental information
Interest paid, net of portion capitalized
Income taxes paid
(622)
(612)
(1,169)
1,477
(926)
12
(2,661)
(652)
225
—
—
(217)
(405)
(491)
(930)
2,705
879
(601)
(2,555)
(320)
347
—
(247)
(66)
(688)
(333)
(2,550)
1,153
(2,418)
1,000
—
—
—
14,586
(13,504)
(151)
(3,293)
(3,442)
1,931
(577)
(1,247)
9,595
(10)
3,694
5,901
16
5,874
27
$ 8,348
$ 9,595
$ 5,901
$
$
419
498
$
283
$ 1,305
$
$
61
—
(a) Cash flows from operating activities included the impact of transaction and financing-related and other
costs incurred in connection with the terminated proposed combination with Shire. Refer to Note 4 for
additional information.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2014 Form 10-K
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61
AbbVie Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 Background and Basis of Presentation
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Background
The principal business of AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie or the company) is the discovery, development,
manufacture and sale of a broad line of pharmaceutical products. AbbVie’s products are generally sold
worldwide directly to wholesalers, distributors, government agencies, health care facilities, specialty
pharmacies, and independent retailers from AbbVie-owned distribution centers and public warehouses.
Substantially all of AbbVie’s sales in the United States are to three wholesalers. Outside the United States,
products are sold primarily to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served.
AbbVie was incorporated in Delaware on April 10, 2012. On January 1, 2013, AbbVie became an
independent, publicly-traded company as a result of the distribution by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) of
100 percent of the outstanding common stock of AbbVie to Abbott’s shareholders (the separation). On
January 1, 2013, Abbott’s shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 12, 2012,
received one share of AbbVie common stock for every one share of Abbott common stock held as of the
record date. AbbVie’s common stock began trading ‘‘regular-way’’ under the ticker symbol ‘‘ABBV’’ on the
New York Stock Exchange on January 2, 2013.
During the year ended 2013, separation-related adjustments totaling $1.3 billion were recorded in
stockholders’ equity. Separation-related adjustments to additional paid-in capital principally reflected
dividends to AbbVie shareholders that were declared from pre-separation earnings during the first quarter
of 2013 and the transfer of certain pension plan liabilities and assets from Abbott to AbbVie upon the legal
split of those plans in 2013. In addition, because the historical financial statements were derived from
Abbott’s records, separation-related adjustments also included an adjustment to accumulated other
comprehensive loss to reflect the appropriate opening balances associated with currency translation
adjustments related to AbbVie’s legal entities at the separation date. Refer to Note 11 for further
information regarding the separation of the pension plans.
In connection with the separation, AbbVie and Abbott entered into transition services agreements
covering certain corporate support and back office services that AbbVie historically received from Abbott.
Such services include information technology, accounts payable, payroll, receivables collection, treasury and
other financial functions, as well as order entry, warehousing, engineering support, quality assurance
support and other administrative services. These agreements facilitate the separation by allowing AbbVie to
operate independently prior to establishing stand-alone back office functions across its organization.
Transition services may be provided for up to 24 months, with an option for a one-year extension. The
majority of these transaction service agreements expired without extension at December 31, 2014.
During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, AbbVie incurred $445 million,
$254 million, and $288 million, respectively, of separation-related expenses including legal, information
technology and regulatory fees, which were principally classified in selling, general and administrative
expenses (SG&A) in the consolidated statements of earnings.
Basis of Historical Presentation
For a certain portion of AbbVie’s operations, the legal transfer of AbbVie’s assets (net of liabilities) did
not occur with the separation of AbbVie on January 1, 2013 due to the time required to transfer marketing
authorizations and satisfy other regulatory requirements in certain countries. Under the terms of the
separation agreement with Abbott, AbbVie is responsible for the business activities conducted by Abbott on
its behalf, and is subject to the risks and entitled to the benefits generated by these operations and assets.
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2014 Form 10-K
As a result, the related assets and liabilities and results of operations have been reported in AbbVie’s
consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Net sales
related to these operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled approximately
$282 million and $738 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the assets and liabilities consisted
primarily of accounts receivable of $27 million, inventories of $16 million, other assets of $33 million and
accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $50 million. At December 31, 2013, the assets and
liabilities consisted primarily of accounts receivable of $62 million, inventories of $190 million, other assets
of $93 million and accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $212 million. The majority of these
operations are expected to be transferred to AbbVie by the end of 2015.
Prior to the separation on January 1, 2013, the historical financial statements of AbbVie were prepared
on a stand-alone basis and were derived from Abbott’s consolidated financial statements and accounting
records as if the former research-based pharmaceutical business of Abbott had been part of AbbVie for all
periods presented. Accordingly, AbbVie’s financial statements for periods prior to January 1, 2013 are
presented herein on a combined basis and reflect AbbVie’s financial position, results of operations and cash
flows as its business was operated as part of Abbott prior to the separation, in conformity with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
The historical combined financial statements included the allocation of certain assets and liabilities that
were historically held at the Abbott corporate level but which were specifically identifiable or allocable to
AbbVie. Prior to 2012, cash and equivalents, short-term investments and restricted funds held by Abbott
were not allocated to AbbVie unless those assets were held by an entity that was transferred to AbbVie. As
of December 31, 2012, AbbVie’s combined balance sheet reflected the direct holdings of AbbVie legal
entities. Prior to November 2012, long-term debt and short-term borrowings were not allocated to AbbVie
as none of the debt recorded by Abbott was directly attributable to or guaranteed by AbbVie. In November
2012, AbbVie issued $14.7 billion of long-term debt with maturities ranging from three to 30 years and
$1.0 billion of commercial paper, which was reflected on AbbVie’s combined balance sheet as of
December 31, 2012. All AbbVie intracompany transactions and accounts were eliminated. Prior to 2012, all
intercompany transactions between AbbVie and Abbott were considered to be effectively settled in the
historical combined financial statements at the time the transactions were recorded. As a result, the total
net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions was reflected in the combined statement of
cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012 as a financing activity and in the combined balance
sheet as of December 31, 2012 as net parent company investment in AbbVie. As of December 31, 2012,
outstanding transactions between AbbVie and Abbott were reflected in the combined balance sheet outside
of net parent company investment in AbbVie Inc. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate
amount due from Abbott totaled $526 million and $738 million, respectively, and was primarily classified in
accounts and other receivables, net in AbbVie’s consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate amount due to
Abbott totaled $536 million and $876 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and was
classified in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in AbbVie’s consolidated balance sheets.
Prior to the separation on January 1, 2013, Abbott provided AbbVie certain services, which included
administration of treasury, payroll, employee compensation and benefits, travel and meeting services, public
and investor relations, real estate services, internal audit, telecommunications, information technology,
corporate income tax and selected legal services. Some of these services continue to be provided to AbbVie
on a temporary basis after the separation pursuant to certain transition services agreements. AbbVie’s
historical combined financial statements for periods prior to January 1, 2013 reflect an allocation of
expenses related to these services. These expenses were allocated to AbbVie based on direct usage or
benefit where identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of revenues, headcount, square
footage, number of transactions or other measures. AbbVie considers the expense allocation methodology
and results to be reasonable. However, the allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses that
would have been incurred had AbbVie operated as an independent, publicly-traded company for the
2014 Form 10-K
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63
periods prior to January 1, 2013. These allocations totaled $838 million for the year ended December 31,
2012.
Prior to the separation on January 1, 2013, AbbVie employees participated in various benefits and
stock-based compensation programs maintained by Abbott. A portion of the cost of those programs was
included in AbbVie’s historical combined financial statements. See Note 11 and Note 12 for a further
description of the accounting for post-employment benefits and stock-based compensation, respectively.
Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Use of Estimates
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and necessarily include
amounts based on estimates and assumptions by management. Actual results could differ from those
amounts. Significant estimates include amounts for sales rebates, pension and post-employment benefits,
income taxes, litigation, valuation of intangible assets and goodwill, financial instruments, and inventory and
accounts receivable exposures.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
include the accounts of AbbVie and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained.
Controlling interest is determined by majority ownership interest and the absence of substantive third-party
participating rights or, in the case of variable interest entities, where AbbVie is determined to be the
primary beneficiary. Investments in companies over which AbbVie has a significant influence but not a
controlling interest are accounted for using the equity method with AbbVie’s share of earnings or losses
reported in other income, net. All other investments are generally accounted for using the cost method.
Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior period consolidated financial statements
to the current period presentation.
Revenue Recognition
AbbVie recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred,
the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured. Revenue
from product sales is recognized when title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. Provisions for
discounts, rebates and sales incentives to customers and returns and other adjustments are provided for in
the period the related sales are recorded. Sales incentives to customers are not material. Historical data is
readily available and reliable, and is used for estimating the amount of the reduction in gross sales.
Revenue from the launch of a new product, from an improved version of an existing product, or for
shipments in excess of a customer’s normal requirements are recorded when the conditions noted above
are met. In those situations, management records a returns reserve for such revenue, if necessary. Sales of
product rights for marketable products are recorded as revenue upon disposition of the rights.
Research and Development Costs
Internal research and development (R&D) costs are expensed as incurred. Clinical trial costs incurred by
third parties are expensed as the contracted work is performed. Where contingent milestone payments are
due to third parties under research and development collaborations for pre-commercialization milestones,
the milestone payment obligations are expensed when the milestone results are achieved. Payments made
to third parties subsequent to regulatory approval are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful
life of the related product. Amounts capitalized for such payments are included in intangible assets, net of
accumulated amortization.
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2014 Form 10-K
Collaborations and Other Arrangements
The company enters into collaborative agreements with third parties to develop and commercialize
drug candidates. Collaborative activities may include joint research and development and commercialization
of new products. AbbVie generally receives certain licensing rights under these arrangements. These
collaborations often require upfront payments and may include additional milestone, research and
development cost sharing, royalty or profit share payments, contingent upon the occurrence of certain
future events linked to the success of the asset in development and commercialization. Upfront payments
associated with collaborative arrangements during the development stage are expensed to acquired
in-process research and development (IPR&D). Subsequent payments made to the partner for the
achievement of milestones during the development stage are expensed to R&D when the milestone is
achieved. Milestone payments made to the partner subsequent to regulatory approval are capitalized as
intangible assets and amortized to cost of products sold over the estimated useful life of the related asset.
Royalties are expensed as cost of products sold when incurred.
Advertising
Costs associated with advertising are expensed as incurred and are included in SG&A in AbbVie’s
consolidated statements of earnings. Advertising expenses were $665 million, $626 million, and $506 million
in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Pension and Post-Employment Benefits
AbbVie records annual expenses relating to its defined benefit pension and other post-employment
plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed
asset rates of return, compensation increases, turnover rates and health care cost trend rates. AbbVie
reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on
current rates and trends. Actuarial losses and gains are amortized over the remaining service attribution
periods of the employees under the corridor method, in accordance with the rules for accounting for
post-employment benefits. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the
actual annual return are amortized to net period benefit cost over a five-year period.
Prior to separation, AbbVie employees participated in certain defined benefit pension and other
post-employment plans sponsored by Abbott, which included participants of Abbott’s other businesses.
Such plans were accounted for as multiemployer plans in AbbVie’s historical combined financial statements
as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012. As a result, no asset or liability was recorded by AbbVie
in the historical combined balance sheets to recognize the funded status of these plans. In 2013,
subsequent to the separation from Abbott, AbbVie’s portion of the defined benefit pension plans was
separated from the Abbott defined benefit pension plans using a December 31, 2012 measurement date.
As a result, the funded status for each plan is reflected in AbbVie’s consolidated balance sheets as of
December 31, 2014 and 2013. AbbVie is the sole sponsor for certain defined benefit pension and other
post-employment plans. The funded status of these plans was recorded in AbbVie’s combined balance sheet
at December 31, 2012 and the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Refer to Note 11 for information regarding AbbVie’s pension and post-employment plans.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Provisions for federal, state and
foreign income taxes are calculated on reported pretax earnings based on current tax laws. Deferred taxes
are provided using enacted tax rates on the future tax consequences of temporary differences, which are
the differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases and the tax benefits of carryforwards. A valuation allowance is established or
2014 Form 10-K
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65
maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion
of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
In AbbVie’s financial statements for periods prior to 2013, income tax expense and tax balances were
calculated as if AbbVie was a separate taxpayer, although AbbVie’s operations were historically included in
tax returns filed by Abbott. After separation, AbbVie’s income tax expense and income tax balances
represent AbbVie’s federal, state and foreign income taxes as an independent company. As a result, its
effective tax rate and income tax balances are not necessarily comparable to those for periods prior to the
separation.
Cash and Equivalents
Cash and equivalents include time deposits, money market funds, and treasury securities with original
maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less.
Investments
Short-term investments consist primarily of time deposits and held-to-maturity debt. Investments in
marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with any
unrealized holding gains or losses, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in AbbVie’s
consolidated balance sheets. Investments in equity securities that are not traded on public stock exchanges
and held-to-maturity debt securities are recorded at cost.
AbbVie reviews the carrying value of investments each quarter to determine whether an other than
temporary decline in fair value exists. AbbVie considers factors affecting the investee, factors affecting the
industry the investee operates in and general equity market trends. The company considers the length of
time an investment’s fair value has been below cost and the near-term prospects for recovery. When
AbbVie determines that an other than temporary decline has occurred, the cost basis investment is written
down with a charge to other income, net and the available-for-sale securities’ unrealized loss is recognized
as a charge to income and removed from accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCI).
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance against gross accounts
receivable reflects the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on
the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently
available information. Accounts receivable are written off after all reasonable means to collect the full
amount (including litigation, where appropriate) have been exhausted. The allowance was $74 million at
December 31, 2014 and $88 million at December 31, 2013.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. Cost includes material
and conversion costs. Inventories, net, consist of the following:
as of December 31 (in millions)
Finished goods
Work-in-process
Materials
Inventories, net
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2014 Form 10-K
2014
2013
$ 341
629
154
$ 485
404
261
$1,124
$1,150
Property and Equipment
as of December 31 (in millions)
Land
Buildings
Equipment
Construction in progress
Property and equipment, gross
Less accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net
2014
2013
$
48
1,228
5,324
505
$
50
1,263
5,214
382
7,105
(4,620)
6,909
(4,611)
$ 2,485
$ 2,298
Depreciation for property and equipment is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful
lives of the assets. The estimated useful life for buildings ranges from 10 to 50 years and five to 20 years
for equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related facility lease (including
any renewal periods, if appropriate) or the asset, whichever is shorter. Depreciation expense for the years
ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $383 million, $388 million and $525 million, respectively.
Equipment includes certain computer software and software development costs incurred in connection with
developing or obtaining software for internal use and is amortized over three to 10 years. Assets under
capital leases included in property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets are not material.
Litigation
Loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses when it is probable that a liability has
been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing information.
When a best estimate cannot be made, the minimum loss contingency amount in a probable range is
recorded. Legal fees are expensed as incurred.
Product Liability
AbbVie accrues for product liability claims, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a
liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing
information. The liabilities are adjusted quarterly as additional information becomes available. Receivables
for insurance recoveries, if any, for product liability claims are recorded as assets, on an undiscounted basis,
when it is probable that a recovery will be realized.
Business Combinations
Results of operations of acquired companies are included in AbbVie’s results of operations beginning
on the respective acquisition dates. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at the date of
acquisition at their respective fair values. Any excess of the fair value consideration transferred over the
estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Contingent consideration is
recognized at the estimated fair value on the acquisition date, which is determined by utilizing a probability
weighted discounted cash flow model. Subsequent changes to the fair value of contingent payments are
recognized in other income, net in the consolidated statements of earnings. The fair value of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed in certain cases may be subject to revision based on the final
determination of fair value. Legal costs, due diligence costs, business valuation costs and all other business
acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value using a discounted cash
flow model. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net
2014 Form 10-K
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67
cash flows, risk, the cost of capital, and terminal values of market participants. Definite-lived intangibles are
amortized over their estimated useful lives. AbbVie reviews the recoverability of definite-lived intangible
assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be
recoverable. AbbVie first compares the projected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the asset to
its carrying value. If the undiscounted cash flows of an intangible asset are less than the carrying value of
an intangible asset, the intangible asset is written down to its fair value, which is usually the discounted
cash flow amount, and a loss is recorded equal to the excess of the asset’s net carrying value over its fair
value. Where cash flows cannot be identified for an individual asset, the review is applied at the lowest
level for which cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are not amortized but are subject to an impairment review
annually and more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. An impairment of goodwill would occur
if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeded the fair value of that reporting unit. Indefinite-lived
intangible assets, which consist of capitalized IPR&D, would occur if the fair value of the IPR&D intangible
asset is less than the carrying amount.
The company tests its goodwill for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to determine
whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount. If the company
concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a
quantitative impairment test is performed. AbbVie tests indefinite-lived intangible assets using a
quantitative impairment test. For its quantitative impairment tests, the company uses an estimated future
cash flow approach that requires significant judgment with respect to future volume, revenue and expense
growth rates, changes in working capital use, foreign currency exchange rates, the selection of an
appropriate discount rate, asset groupings and other assumptions and estimates. The estimates and
assumptions used are consistent with the company’s business plans and a market participant’s views of a
company and similar companies. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or
decrease the estimated fair value of the assets, and potentially result in different impacts to the company’s
results of operations. Actual results may differ from the company’s estimates.
Based upon the company’s most recent annual impairment test performed in the third quarter of
2014, the company concluded goodwill was not impaired. In 2014, AbbVie recorded an impairment charge
of $37 million related to certain on-market product rights in Japan due to increased generic competition.
The charge was included in cost of products sold. In 2012, AbbVie recorded impairment charges of
$13 million for certain projects under development. These charges were included in R&D expense. There
were no impairment charges recorded in 2013.
Acquired In-Process Research and Development
The initial costs of rights to IPR&D projects acquired in an asset acquisition are expensed as IPR&D
unless the project has an alternative future use. These costs include initial payments incurred prior to
regulatory approval in connection with research and development collaboration agreements that provide
rights to develop, manufacture, market and/or sell pharmaceutical products. The fair value of IPR&D
projects acquired in a business combination are capitalized and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible
assets until the underlying project receives regulatory approval, at which point the intangible asset will be
accounted for as a definite-lived intangible asset, or discontinuation, at which point the intangible asset will
be written off. Development costs incurred after the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Indefinite- and
definite-lived assets are subject to impairment reviews as discussed previously.
Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign subsidiary earnings are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates. The net assets
of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period end exchange rates. The U.S. dollar effects
that arise from translating the net assets of these subsidiaries at changing rates are recognized in other
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2014 Form 10-K
comprehensive (loss) income. The net assets of subsidiaries in highly inflationary economies are remeasured
as if the functional currency were the reporting currency. The remeasurement is recognized in earnings and
is immaterial for all years presented.
Derivatives
All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value in AbbVie’s balance
sheets and are classified as current or long-term based on the scheduled maturity of the instrument. The
accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been
formally designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship under the applicable accounting
standards and, further, on the type of hedging relationship.
For derivatives formally designated as hedges, the company assesses at inception and quarterly
thereafter, whether the hedging derivatives are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or
cash flows of the hedged item. The changes in fair value of a derivative designated as a fair value hedge
and of the hedged item attributable to the hedge risk are recognized in earnings immediately. Fair value
hedges are used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with certain of the company’s fixed-rate debt.
The effective portions of changes in the fair value of a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge are
reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss and are subsequently recognized in earnings consistent
with the underlying hedged item. Cash flow hedges are used to manage exposures from changes in foreign
currency exchange rates.
The derivatives that are not designated and do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through
current earnings. If it is determined that a derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the company
discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. Gains or losses are immediately reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive loss to earnings relating to hedged forecasted transactions that are no longer
probable of occurring. Gains or losses relating to terminations of effective cash flow hedges in which the
forecasted transactions are still probable of occurring are deferred and recognized consistent with the
income or loss recognition of the underlying hedged items. Terminations of a fair value hedges result in fair
value adjustments to the hedged items until the date of termination with the new bases being accreted to
par value on the date of maturity.
Derivatives, including those that are not designated as a hedge, are principally classified in the
operating section of the consolidated statements of cash flows, consistent with the underlying hedged item.
Refer to Note 10 for information regarding AbbVie’s derivative and hedging activities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU)
No. 2014-09, Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). The amendments in ASU
2014-09 supersede most current revenue recognition requirements. The core principal of the new guidance
is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to
customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in
exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not
permitted. AbbVie can apply the amendments using one of the following two methods: (i) retrospectively
to each prior reporting period presented, or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially
applying the amendments recognized at the date of initial application. AbbVie is currently assessing the
impact of adopting this guidance to its consolidated financial statements.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
69
Note 3 Supplemental Financial Information
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Interest Expense, Net
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Interest expense
Interest and dividend income
Interest expense, net
2014
2013
2012
$429
(38)
$299
(21)
$104
(20)
$391
$278
$ 84
Interest expense, net in 2014 included $141 million of financing related fees incurred in connection
with the terminated proposed combination with Shire.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net, includes income from the resolution of certain contractual agreements, fair value
adjustments to contingent consideration, and impairments of equity securities. Other income, net in 2014
primarily consisted of income of $34 million from the resolution of a contractual agreement.
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
as of December 31 (in millions)
Sales rebates
Accounts payable
Due to Abbott Laboratories
Dividends payable
Salaries, wages and commissions
Royalty license arrangements
Other
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Long-Term Liabilities
as of December 31 (in millions)
Deferred income taxes
Pension and other post-employment benefits
Other
Long-term liabilities
2014
2013
$1,384
881
536
791
623
821
1,918
$1,401
933
876
643
621
443
1,531
$6,954
$6,448
2014
2013
$ 630
2,220
990
$ 570
1,628
1,337
$3,840
$3,535
Note 4 Termination of Proposed Combination with Shire
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
On October 15, 2014, AbbVie’s board of directors withdrew its previous recommendation to AbbVie
stockholders in favor of a proposed combination with Shire plc, a company incorporated in Jersey (Shire),
and recommended stockholders vote against the proposed combination. On October 20, 2014, AbbVie and
Shire mutually agreed to terminate the proposed combination. During the year-ended December 31, 2014,
the company incurred transaction and financing-related costs totaling $1.8 billion, of which $1.7 billion was
recorded in SG&A expense and $141 million was recorded in interest expense. Included in SG&A expense
was a break fee of $1.6 billion, which is tax deductible, paid by AbbVie to Shire in October 2014 as a result
of the termination of the proposed combination. In addition, the company recorded $666 million of net
foreign exchange losses primarily due to undesignated forward contracts that were entered into to hedge
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2014 Form 10-K
anticipated foreign currency cash outflows associated with the terminated proposed combination with Shire
and the exit of certain foreign currency positions. The forward contracts were settled in 2014. AbbVie
expects to record additional foreign exchange losses of $170 million in the first quarter of 2015 to reflect
the completed liquidation of its remaining foreign currency positions. Refer to Note 10 for further
information regarding these forward contracts and to Note 9 for further information regarding certain credit
facilities entered into in anticipation of the proposed combination with Shire.
Note 5 Earnings Per Share
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
For periods subsequent to the separation, AbbVie calculated basic earnings per share (EPS) pursuant to
the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per
share for common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights
in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to
common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. In
addition, participating securities may include certain performance-based awards that may otherwise have
been excluded from the calculation of EPS under the treasury-stock method. AbbVie’s forfeitable restricted
stock units (RSUs) and restricted stock awards (RSAs), including most performance-based awards, participate
in dividends on the same basis as common shares and such dividends are nonforfeitable to the holder once
declared. As a result, these forfeitable RSUs and RSAs meet the definition of a participating security.
The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury stock
or the two-class method. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the two-class method was
more dilutive. As such, the dilutive effect of outstanding RSUs and RSAs for the years ended December 31,
2014 and 2013 of approximately 4 million and 5 million, respectively, was excluded from the denominator
for the calculation of diluted EPS. These awards otherwise would have been included in the calculation of
EPS under the treasury stock method. Additionally, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) allocable to
participating securities, including performance-based awards not otherwise included in the calculation of
EPS under the treasury-stock method, were excluded from the numerator for the calculation of basic and
diluted earnings per share under the two-class method. Earnings allocable to participating securities for the
years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $9 million and $26 million, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 0.4 million and 1 million common
shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans were excluded from the computation of earnings per
common share assuming dilution because the effect would have been antidilutive.
For periods prior to the separation, the numerator for both basic and diluted EPS was net earnings
attributable to AbbVie. The denominator for basic and diluted EPS was calculated using the 1,577 million
AbbVie common shares outstanding immediately following the separation. The same number of shares was
used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share since no AbbVie equity awards were outstanding
prior to the separation.
Note 6 Acquisitions, Collaborations and Other Arrangements
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
In 2014, 2013 and 2012, cash outflows related to collaborations, the acquisition of product rights and
other arrangements totaled $622 million, $405 million and $688 million, respectively. AbbVie recorded
IPR&D charges of $352 million, $338 million and $288 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In
2014, AbbVie also recorded other expenses of $750 million related to a collaboration. Significant
arrangements impacting 2014, 2013 and 2012, some of which require contingent milestone payments, are
summarized below. In addition to the significant arrangements described below, AbbVie entered several
other arrangements resulting in charges to IPR&D of $77 million in 2014 and $48 million in 2013 and upon
the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, could make additional
payments of up to $966 million and $894 million related to arrangements entered into in 2014 and 2013,
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
71
respectively. It is not possible to predict with reasonable certainty whether these milestones will be
achieved or the timing for achievement.
Significant arrangements impacting 2014, 2013 and 2012, some of which require contingent milestone
payments, include the following:
Calico Life Sciences LLC
In September 2014, AbbVie and Calico Life Sciences LLC (Calico) entered into a novel R&D collaboration
agreement to discover, develop and commercialize new therapies for patients with age-related diseases,
including neurodegeneration and cancer. In 2014, AbbVie recorded $750 million in other expense in the
consolidated statement of operations related to its commitments under the agreement of which
$250 million was paid in 2014 and $500 million was paid in early 2015. Calico will be responsible for
research and early development during the first five years and continue to advance collaboration projects
through Phase 2a for a ten year period. AbbVie will have the option to exclusively license collaboration
compounds after completion of Phase 2a. AbbVie will support Calico in its early R&D efforts and, upon
option exercise, would be responsible for all late-stage development and commercial activities. Collaboration
costs and profits will be shared equally by both companies post option exercise.
Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
In September 2014, AbbVie entered into a global collaboration agreement with Infinity
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Infinity) to develop and commercialize duvelisib (IPI-145) for the treatment of
patients with cancer. As part of the agreement, AbbVie made an initial upfront payment of $275 million,
which was expensed to IPR&D in the third quarter of 2014. Upon the achievement of certain development,
regulatory and commercial milestones, AbbVie could make additional payments of up to $530 million. In
the United States, the companies will jointly commercialize duvelisib and will share equally in any potential
profits. Outside the United States, AbbVie will be responsible for the commercialization of duvelisib, and
Infinity is eligible to receive tiered double-digit royalties on net product sales.
Ablynx NV
In September 2013, AbbVie entered into a global collaboration agreement with Ablynx NV to develop
and commercialize the anti-IL-6R Nanobody, ALX-0061, for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including
rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, resulting in a charge to IPR&D of $175 million.
Upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, AbbVie could make
additional payments of up to $665 million, as well as royalties on net sales.
Galapagos NV
In September 2013, AbbVie recorded a charge to IPR&D of $45 million as a result of entering into a
global collaboration with Galapagos NV (Galapagos) to discover, develop and commercialize cystic fibrosis
therapies. Upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, AbbVie
could make additional payments of up to $360 million, as well as royalties on net sales.
In February 2012, AbbVie recorded a charge to IPR&D of $150 million as a result of entering into a
global collaboration with Galapagos to develop and commercialize a next-generation, oral Janus Kinase 1
(JAK1) inhibitor in Phase 2 development with the potential to treat multiple autoimmune diseases.
Additional payments of approximately $1.3 billion could be required for the achievement of certain
development, regulatory and commercial milestones under this agreement.
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2014 Form 10-K
Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
In May 2013, AbbVie entered into a global collaboration with Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop
ALV003, a novel oral treatment for patients with celiac disease. As part of the agreement, AbbVie made an
initial upfront payment of $70 million, which was expensed to IPR&D in the second quarter of 2013.
AbbVie could make additional payments totaling up to $275 million pursuant to this arrangement.
Action Pharma A/S
In May 2012, AbbVie recorded a charge to IPR&D of $110 million as a result of the acquisition of
ABT-719 (previously referred to as AP214), a drug under development for the prevention of acute kidney
injury associated with major cardiac surgery in patients at increased risk.
Note 7 Goodwill and Intangible Assets
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill was $5.9 billion and $6.3 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013,
respectively. Changes in the goodwill balance in 2014 were primarily due to foreign currency translation.
Changes in the goodwill balance in 2013 were attributable to foreign currency translation and goodwill
additions of $25 million related to product rights acquired during the second quarter. As of December 31,
2014, there were no accumulated goodwill impairment losses. Future impairment tests for goodwill will be
performed annually in the third quarter, or earlier if indicators of impairment exist.
Intangible Assets, Net
The following table summarizes AbbVie’s intangible assets:
(in millions)
Definite-lived intangible assets
Developed product rights
License agreements
Total definite-lived intangible assets
Indefinite-lived research and development
Gross
carrying
amount
$4,546
1,097
5,643
445
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2013
Accumulated
amortization
Net
carrying
amount
Gross
carrying
amount
Accumulated
amortization
$(3,706)
(869)
(4,575)
—
$ 840
228
$4,744
994
1,068
445
5,738
447
$(3,503)
(792)
(4,295)
—
Net
carrying
amount
$1,241
202
1,443
447
Total intangible assets
$6,088
$(4,575)
$1,513
$6,185
$(4,295)
$1,890
Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range
between 3 to 16 years with an average of 13 years and 10 years for developed product rights and license
agreements, respectively. Additions in 2014 are primarily related to the acquisition of $80 million of
amortizable intangible assets under license agreements for on-market product rights in the United States
with an average amortization period of 10 years.
Amortization expense for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $403 million, $509 million and $625 million,
respectively, and is included in cost of products sold in the consolidated statements of earnings. At
December 31, 2014, the anticipated annual amortization expense for intangible assets recorded as of
December 31, 2014 was $247 million in 2015, $164 million in 2016, $152 million in 2017, $145 million in
2018 and $107 million in 2019. In the third quarter of 2014, an impairment charge of $37 million was
recorded related to certain on-market product rights in Japan due to increased generic competition. The
charge was based on a discounted cash flow analysis and is included in cost of products sold.
The indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 relate to IPR&D acquired in a business
combination. In 2012, AbbVie recorded an impairment charge of $13 million for certain projects under
development. The charge was based on a discounted cash flow analysis and was included in R&D expense.
In 2014, no material impairment charges were recorded related to indefinite-lived intangible assets.
2014 Form 10-K
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73
Note 8 Restructuring Plans
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
In 2014 and prior years, AbbVie management approved plans to realign its worldwide manufacturing
operations and selected domestic and international commercial and R&D operations in order to reduce
costs in conjunction with the loss and expected loss of exclusivity of certain products. Restructuring charges
recorded in 2014 were $23 million and were primarily recorded in cost of products sold in the consolidated
statements of earnings with the remainder recorded in SG&A. Included in the charges were cash costs of
$16 million which primarily related to employee severance and contractual obligations.
In 2013, AbbVie management approved plans to restructure certain commercial operations in
conjunction with the loss and expected loss of exclusivity of certain products. Restructuring charges
recorded in 2013 were $83 million and were primarily recorded in SG&A and cost of products sold in the
consolidated statements of earnings with the remainder recorded in R&D. Included in the charges were
cash costs of $76 million which mainly related to employee severance and contractual obligations.
In 2012, AbbVie management approved plans to realign its worldwide manufacturing operations and
selected domestic and international commercial and R&D operations in order to reduce costs. In 2012,
AbbVie incurred restructuring charges of approximately $191 million for employee severance and
contractual obligations, primarily related to the exit from an R&D facility with $183 million recorded within
R&D and $8 million within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.
The following summarizes the cash activity in the restructuring reserve for the years ended
December 31, 2014 and 2013:
(in millions)
Accrued balance at December 31, 2011
2012 restructuring charges
Payments and other adjustments
Accrued balance at December 31, 2012
2013 restructuring charges
Payments and other adjustments
Accrued balance at December 31, 2013
2014 restructuring charges
Payments and other adjustments
Accrued balance at December 31, 2014
$ 149
191
(107)
233
76
(118)
191
16
(85)
$ 122
Payments and other adjustments for 2013 included a $23 million reversal of a previously recorded
restructuring reserve due to the company’s re-evaluation of a prior year decision to exit a manufacturing
facility. In 2012, AbbVie recorded additional restructuring charges of $69 million, primarily for accelerated
depreciation.
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2014 Form 10-K
Note 9 Debt, Credit Facilities, and Commitments and Contingencies
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following is a summary of long-term debt as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
(in millions)
Floating rate notes due 2015
1.2% notes due 2015
1.75% notes due 2017
2.0% notes due 2018
2.9% notes due 2022
4.4% notes due 2042
Other
Fair value hedges
Unamortized bond discounts
Total long-term debt and lease obligations
Current portion
Noncurrent portion
Effective
interest rate
in 2014(a)
1.09%
1.31%
1.86%
2.15%
2.97%
4.46%
—
—
—
Effective
interest rate
in 2013(a)
1.14%
1.31%
1.86%
2.15%
2.97%
4.46%
—
—
—
$
2014
500
3,500
4,000
1,000
3,100
2,600
115
(180)
(49)
14,586
4,021
$10,565
$
2013
500
3,500
4,000
1,000
3,100
2,600
98
(432)
(56)
14,310
18
$14,292
(a) Excludes the effect of any related interest rate swaps.
In November 2012, AbbVie issued $14.7 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes.
Approximately $3.0 billion of these senior notes were issued to Abbott as partial consideration for the
transfer of assets from Abbott to AbbVie. AbbVie used part of the net proceeds from the sale of senior
notes (other than the senior notes issued to Abbott) to finance the payment made in November 2012 of a
$10.2 billion distribution to Abbott, as provided by the terms of the separation agreement. The debt was
guaranteed by Abbott until AbbVie separated from Abbott on January 1, 2013.
AbbVie may redeem all of the senior notes of each series, other than the floating notes due in 2015,
at any time, and some of the senior notes of each series, other than the floating notes due in 2015, from
time to time, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the senior notes redeemed plus a
make-whole premium. AbbVie may not redeem the floating notes due in 2015 prior to maturity. At
December 31, 2014, the company was in compliance with its senior note covenants.
Short-Term Borrowings
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, short-term borrowings included $416 million and $400 million,
respectively, of commercial paper borrowings. The weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings
was 0.2% and 0.2% for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Prior to October 2014, AbbVie had a $2.0 billion unsecured five-year revolving credit facility
agreement. In October 2014, AbbVie replaced its existing revolving credit facility with the $3.0 billion
five-year revolving credit facility which also supports commercial paper borrowings. At December 31, 2014,
AbbVie was in compliance with the financial covenants. No borrowings were outstanding under these
facilities at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
75
Maturities of Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
The following table summarizes AbbVie’s future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable
operating leases, debt maturities and future minimum lease payments for capital lease obligations as of
December 31, 2014:
as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions)
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter
Total obligations and commitments
Fair value hedges and unamortized bond discounts
Total debt and lease obligations
Operating
leases
Debt maturities
and capital leases
$114
103
92
81
74
98
562
n/a
$562
$ 4,021
19
4,018
1,014
6
5,737
14,815
(229)
$14,586
Lease expense was $115 million in 2014 and $107 million in 2013 and was not material for 2012. As
part of the separation, AbbVie entered into agreements to lease certain facilities, including office,
laboratory, and factory and warehouse space, under principally non-cancelable operating leases with
Abbott. AbbVie’s operating leases generally include renewal options and provide for the company to pay
taxes, maintenance, insurance and other operating costs of the leased property. Capital lease obligations
relate to automobiles and certain facilities. As of December 31, 2014, annual future minimum lease
payments for capital lease obligations are not material.
Debt maturities and capital leases in 2015 include the $500 million floating notes due in 2015 and
maturities of $3.5 billion of 1.2% senior notes.
Contingencies and Guarantees
In connection with the separation, AbbVie has indemnified Abbott for all liabilities resulting from the
operation of AbbVie’s business other than income tax liabilities with respect to periods prior to the
distribution date and other liabilities as agreed to by AbbVie and Abbott. AbbVie has no material exposures
to off-balance sheet arrangements, no special-purpose entities and no activities that included non-exchange-
traded contracts accounted for at fair value. In the ordinary course of business, AbbVie has periodically
entered into third-party agreements, such as the assignment of product rights, which have resulted in
AbbVie becoming secondarily liable for obligations for which AbbVie had previously been primarily liable.
Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. AbbVie
periodically acquires a business or product rights in which AbbVie agrees to pay contingent consideration
based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events.
Note 10 Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Risk Management Policy
The company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risks related to its business
operations. The company’s hedging policy attempts to manage these risks to an acceptable level based on the
company’s judgment of the appropriate trade-off between risk, opportunity and costs. The company uses
derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. The company is also
exposed to the risk that its earnings and cash flows could be adversely impacted by fluctuations in interest
rates. The company periodically enters into interest rate swaps, based on judgment, to manage interest costs
in which the company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and
76
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional amount. Derivative
instruments are not used for trading purposes or to manage exposure to changes in interest rates for
investment securities, and none of the company’s outstanding derivative instruments contain credit risk
related contingent features; collateral is generally not required.
Financial Instruments
Various AbbVie foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage
exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated intercompany transactions denominated in a
currency other than the functional currency of the local entity. These contracts, with notional amounts
totaling $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, are
designated as cash flow hedges and are recorded at fair value. Accumulated gains and losses as of
December 31, 2014 will be included in cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally
not exceeding twelve months.
The company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage its exposure to
foreign currency denominated trade payables and receivables and intercompany loans. The contracts are
marked-to-market, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in income and are generally offset by losses or
gains on the foreign currency exposure being managed. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013,
AbbVie held notional amounts of $6.8 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, of such foreign currency forward
exchange contracts.
In 2014, the company entered into undesignated forward contracts with a total notional amount of
$16.9 billion to hedge anticipated foreign currency cash outflows associated with the terminated proposed
combination with Shire. A large portion of these contracts original maturity is in the first quarter of 2015
but were net settled in the fourth quarter of 2014. In 2014, the company realized $490 million in net
foreign exchange loss associated with the Shire-related forward contracts.
AbbVie is a party to interest rate hedge contracts, designated as fair value hedges, totaling $8.0 billion
at both December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The effect of the hedge is to change a fixed-rate
interest obligation to a floating rate for that portion of the debt. AbbVie recorded the contracts at fair
value and adjusted the carrying amount of the fixed-rate debt by an offsetting amount.
The following table summarizes the amounts and location of AbbVie’s derivative instruments as of
December 31.
(in millions)
2014 2013
Balance sheet caption
2014 2013
Balance sheet caption
Fair value—Derivatives in asset position
Fair value—Derivatives in liability
position
$ — $ —
n/a $180 $432
Long-term liabilities
Interest rate swaps designated as fair
value hedges
Foreign currency forward exchange
contracts—
Hedging instruments
141 — Prepaid expenses and other — 61
Others not designated as hedges
70
17 Prepaid expenses and other
63
12
Total
$211 $17
$243 $505
Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities
Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities
While certain derivatives are subject to netting arrangements with the company’s counterparties, the
company does not offset derivative assets and liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the activity for derivative instruments and the amounts and location of
income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014,
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
77
2013 and 2012, respectively. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the years ended
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
(in millions)
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012
Income statement caption
Gain (loss)
recognized
in other
comprehensive
(loss) income
(Expense) income
and (loss) gain
reclassified
into income
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts—
Designated as cash flow hedges
Not designated as hedges
Interest rate swaps designated as fair value
$193
n/a
$(77) $(11) $ (79) $ — $ 24
(523)
n/a
Cost of products sold
(23) Net foreign exchange (loss) gain
n/a
81
hedges
n/a
n/a
n/a
252
(351)
(81)
Interest expense (income), net
The gain/(loss) related to fair value hedges is recognized in net interest expense and directly offsets
the (loss)/gain on the underlying hedged item, the fixed-rate debt, resulting in no net impact to net interest
expense for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Fair Value Measures
The fair value hierarchy under the accounting standard for fair value measurements consists of the
following three levels:
• Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the
company has the ability to access;
• Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices
for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuations in
which all significant inputs are observable in the market; and
• Level 3—Valuations using significant inputs that are unobservable in the market and include the use
of judgment by the company’s management about the assumptions market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability.
The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that are
carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014:
Basis of fair value measurement
Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Balance at
December 31,
2014
$8,348
9
13
211
$8,581
$ 180
63
$ 243
$1,214
—
13
—
$1,227
$ —
—
$ —
$7,134
9
—
211
$7,354
$ 180
63
$ 243
$—
—
—
—
$—
$—
—
$—
(in millions)
Assets
Cash and equivalents
Time deposits
Equity securities
Foreign currency contracts
Total assets
Liabilities
Interest rate hedges
Foreign currency contracts
Total liabilities
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13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that are
carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013:
(in millions)
Assets
Cash and equivalents
Time deposits
Equity securities
Foreign currency contracts
Total assets
Liabilities
Interest rate hedges
Foreign currency contracts
Contingent consideration
Total liabilities
Basis of fair value measurement
Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Balance at
December 31,
2013
$9,595
300
10
17
$9,922
$ 432
73
165
$ 670
$684
—
10
—
$694
$ —
—
—
$ —
$8,911
300
—
17
$9,228
$ 432
73
—
$ 505
$ —
—
—
—
$ —
$ —
—
165
$165
The fair values for time deposits included in cash and equivalents and short-term investments are
determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis reflecting quoted market rates for the same or similar
instruments. The fair values of time deposits approximate their amortized cost due to the short maturities
of these instruments. Available-for-sale equity securities consists of investments for which the fair value is
determined by using the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held, without
consideration of transaction costs. The derivatives entered into by the company are valued using publicized
spot curves for interest rate hedges and publicized forward curves for foreign currency contracts. The
contingent consideration is valued using a discounted cash flow technique that reflects management’s
expectations about probability of payment.
Cumulative net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale equity securities totaled $3 million and
$2 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value measurement levels. The
following table is a reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3), which consist of contingent payments related to acquisitions and investments:
(in millions)
Fair value as of December 31, 2012
Payments
Additions
Change in fair value recognized in earnings
Fair value as of December 31, 2013
Payments
Other
Change in fair value recognized in earnings
Fair value as of December 31, 2014
$ 251
(131)
28
17
165
(164)
—
(1)
$ —
The contingent payments were primarily in connection with the acquisition of Solvay’s U.S. pharmaceuticals
business in 2010. The achievement of a certain sales milestone resulted in a payment of approximately
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
79
$137 million in 2014 and $131 million in 2013 for which a liability was previously established. Additions of
$28 million related to the acquisition of product rights in 2013. The change in fair value recognized in
earnings was recognized in net foreign exchange loss and other income, net in the consolidated statements
of earnings.
In addition to the financial instruments that the company is required to recognize at fair value on the
consolidated balance sheets, the company has certain financial instruments that are recognized at historical
cost or some basis other than fair value. The carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments
as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table below:
(in millions)
Book values
Approximate
fair values
2014
2013
2014
2013
Assets
Investments
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges
$
95
$
108
$
145
$
129
425
4,021
10,745
413
18
14,724
425
4,033
10,830
413
18
14,493
The following table summarizes the bases used to measure the approximate fair values of the financial
instruments as of December 31, 2014.
(in millions)
Assets
Investments
Total assets
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair
value hedges
Total liabilities
Basis of fair value measurement
Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
$
$
$
68
68
—
4,012
10,737
$14,749
$ 13
$ 13
$425
21
93
$539
$64
$64
$ —
—
—
$ —
Fair value at
December 31,
2014
$
$
$
145
145
425
4,033
10,830
$15,288
80
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
The following table summarizes the bases used to measure the approximate fair values of the financial
instruments as of December 31, 2013.
(in millions)
Assets
Investments
Total assets
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair
value hedges
Total liabilities
Basis of fair value measurement
Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Fair value at
December 31,
2013
$
$
$
129
129
413
18
$
$
$
39
39
—
—
14,493
$14,924
14,413
$14,413
$ 30
$ 30
$413
18
80
$511
$60
$60
$ —
—
—
$ —
Investments consist of cost method investments and held-to-maturity debt securities. Cost method
investments include certain investments for which the fair value is determined by using the published
market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held, without consideration of transaction costs. To
determine the fair value of other cost method investments, the company takes into consideration recent
transactions, as well as the financial information of the investee, which represents a Level 3 basis of fair
value measurement. The fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities was estimated based upon the
quoted market prices for the same or similar debt instruments. The fair values of short-term and current
borrowings approximate the carrying values due to the short maturities of these instruments.
The fair value of long-term debt, excluding fair value hedges, was determined by using the published
market price for the debt instruments, without consideration of transaction costs, which represents a
Level 1 basis of fair value measurement. The counterparties to financial instruments consist of select major
international financial institutions.
Concentrations of Risk
The company invests excess cash in time deposits, money market funds and U.S. Treasury securities
and diversifies the concentration of cash among different financial institutions. The company monitors
concentrations of credit risk associated with deposits with financial institutions. Credit exposure limits have
been established to limit a concentration with any single issuer or institution.
At December 31, 2014, AbbVie had approximately $240 million of net monetary assets denominated in
the Venezuelan bolivar (converted at a rate of 6.3 VEF/USD) in its Venezuelan entity, which had net sales of
$240 million in 2014. If AbbVie’s net monetary assets denominated in the Venezuelan bolivar had been
converted at a rate of 12 VEF/USD at December 31, 2014, it would have resulted in a devaluation loss of
$114 million in 2014. The company cannot predict whether there will be further devaluations of the
Venezuelan currency or whether the use of the official rate of 6.3 will continue to be supported by evolving
facts and circumstances. If circumstances change such that the company concludes it would be appropriate
to use a different rate, or if a devaluation of the official rate occurs, it could result in a significant change
to AbbVie’s results of operations.
Three U.S. wholesalers accounted for 49 percent and 38 percent of total net accounts receivable as of
December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and substantially all of AbbVie’s sales in the
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
81
United States are to these three wholesalers. In addition, net governmental receivables outstanding in
Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain totaled $446 million at December 31, 2014 and $781 million at
December 31, 2013.
HUMIRA is AbbVie’s single largest product and accounted for approximately 63 percent, 57 percent and
50 percent of AbbVie’s total net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Note 11 Post-Employment Benefits
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
AbbVie sponsors various pension and other post-employment benefit plans, including defined benefit,
defined contribution and termination indemnity plans, which cover most employees worldwide. In addition,
AbbVie provides medical benefits, primarily to eligible U.S. retirees, through other post-retirement benefit
plans. Net obligations for these plans have been reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as of
December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Abbott Sponsored Plans
Prior to separation, AbbVie employees participated in certain U.S. and international defined benefit
pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) plans sponsored by Abbott. These plans included
participants of Abbott’s other businesses and were accounted for as multiemployer benefit plans in
AbbVie’s combined financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012. As a result, no
asset or liability was recorded by AbbVie in the historical combined balance sheets through December 31,
2012 to recognize the funded status of these plans. Effective January 1, 2013, in connection with the
separation of AbbVie from Abbott, these plans were separated and AbbVie assumed net benefit plan
obligations that were previously provided by Abbott. For Abbott-sponsored defined benefit and
post-employment benefit plans, AbbVie recorded expenses of $200 million in 2012. Abbott made voluntary
contributions to its defined benefit pension plans that AbbVie accounted for as multiemployer benefit plans
totaling $310 million in 2012.
AbbVie Sponsored Plans
Prior to the separation, AbbVie employees participated in the Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement
Plan, which was Abbott’s principal domestic defined benefit pension plan. In connection with the
separation, AbbVie established the AbbVie Pension Plan, which is AbbVie’s principal domestic defined
benefit pension plan, with substantially the same terms as the Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement
Plan. AbbVie employees who were eligible to participate in the Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement
Plan on December 31, 2012 automatically became eligible for the AbbVie Pension Plan. During the first
quarter of 2013, the AbbVie Pension Plan assumed the obligations and related assets for its employees
from the Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan. AbbVie made voluntary contributions of
$370 million and $145 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, to this plan. AbbVie also made a voluntary
contribution of $150 million to this plan subsequent to December 31, 2014.
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13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
The benefit plan information in the table below pertains to the global AbbVie-sponsored defined
benefit pension and other post-employment plans.
as of and for the years ended December 31 (in millions)
2014
2013
2014
2013
Defined
benefit plans
Other
post-employment
plans
Projected benefit obligations
Beginning of period
Service cost
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Plan amendments
Assumption of plan liabilities
Removal of plans
Actuarial (gain) loss
Benefits paid
Other, primarily foreign currency translation loss
End of period
Fair value of plan assets
Beginning of period
Actual return on plan assets
Company contributions
Employee contributions
Assumption of plan assets
Benefits paid
Other, primarily foreign currency translation gain
End of period
Funded status at December 31
Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheets
Other assets
Current liabilities
Long-term liabilities
Net liability at December 31
Actuarial losses, net
Prior service cost
AOCI at December 31
$ 4,484
173
217
1
1
—
—
1,108
(163)
(140)
$ 1,669
184
196
1
(1)
3,009
—
(455)
(146)
27
$ 403
22
22
—
(13)
—
—
111
(8)
1
$ 231
23
19
—
—
209
(12)
(55)
(12)
—
$ 5,681
$ 4,484
$ 538
$ 403
$ 3,666
282
430
1
—
(163)
(43)
$
898
491
198
1
2,221
(146)
3
$ — $ —
—
12
—
—
(12)
—
—
8
—
—
(8)
—
$ 4,173
$ 3,666
$ — $ —
$(1,508) $ (818)
$(538)
$(403)
$
210
(26)
(1,692)
$
442
(27)
(1,233)
$ — $ —
(8)
(395)
(10)
(528)
$(1,508) $ (818)
$(538)
$(403)
$ 2,216
19
$ 1,194
22
$ 181
(53)
$ 74
(47)
$ 2,235
$ 1,216
$ 128
$ 27
The projected benefit obligations (PBO) in the table above included $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion at
December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to international defined benefit pension plans, a number
of which generally are not funded in accordance with local regulations. Benefit payments under those plans
are funded from company assets. The funded status at December 31, 2014 reflects that AbbVie considered
the release of the new mortality tables and projection scales by the Society of Actuaries as an
improvement of the estimate of future mortality and opted to change to the new tables in 2014.
For plans reflected in the table above, the accumulated benefit obligations (ABO) were $5.0 billion and
$3.9 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For those plans reflected in the table above in
which the ABO exceeded plan assets at December 31, 2014, the ABO, PBO and aggregate plan assets were
$2.9 billion, $3.5 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
83
Amounts Recognized in AOCI and OCI
The defined benefit pension and other post-employment plans’ actuarial gains or losses and prior
service costs or credits not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost are recognized on a net-of-tax basis
in AOCI and will be amortized to net periodic benefit cost in the future. The following is a summary of the
pretax gains and losses included in OCI.
years ended December 31 (in millions)
2014
2013
2012
Defined benefit plans
Actuarial (gain) loss
Prior service cost
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs
Foreign exchange loss
Total pretax (gain) loss recognized in OCI
Other post-employment plans
Actuarial (gain) loss
Prior service cost
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs
Total pretax (gain) loss recognized in OCI
$1,127
1
(68)
(41)
$(715) $ 98
9
(7)
5
15
(114)
2
$1,019
$(812) $105
$ 111
(13)
3
$ (42) $ 69
—
—
(53)
—
$ 101
$ (95) $ 69
The pretax amount of actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost included in AOCI at December 31,
2014 that is expected to be recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2015 is $114 million for defined
benefit plans and $2 million for other post-employment plans.
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Defined benefit plans
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs
Net periodic pension benefit cost
Other post-employment plans
Service cost
Interest cost
Amortization of actuarial gain and prior service costs
Net periodic OPEB cost
2014
2013
2012
$ 173
217
(302)
68
$ 184
196
(259)
114
$ 21
38
(29)
7
$ 156
$ 235
$ 37
$ 22
22
(2)
$ 23
19
(1)
$ 42
$ 41
$ —
—
—
$ —
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining Benefit Obligations at the Measurement Date
Defined benefit plans
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increases
Other post-employment plans
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increases
84
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
2014
2013
3.9%
4.4%
4.5%
—
4.9%
5.0%
5.3%
6.0%
The assumptions above, which were used in calculating the December 31, 2014 measurement date
benefit obligations, will be used in the calculation of net periodic benefit cost in 2015.
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Determining Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Defined benefit plans
Discount rate
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
Expected rate of change in compensation
Other post-employment plans
Discount rate
2014
2013
2012
4.9%
7.9%
5.0%
4.3%
8.2%
5.0%
5.1%
8.5%
4.2%
5.3%
4.5% N/A
For 2014, for purposes of measuring post-retirement health care obligations as of the measurement
date, the company assumed a 7.5% pre-65 (7.3% post-65) annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of
covered health care benefits. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5% in 2064 and remain at
that level thereafter. For purposes of measuring post-retirement health care costs, the company assumed a
7.9% pre-65 (7.6% post-65) annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits.
The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5% for 2051 and remain at that level thereafter.
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care
plans. As of December 31, 2014, a 1 percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates
would have the following effects:
year ended December 31, 2014 (in millions)
Service cost and interest cost
Projected benefit obligation
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Assets
(in millions)
Equities
U.S. large cap(a)
U.S. mid cap(b)
International(c)
Fixed income securities
U.S. government securities(d)
Corporate debt instruments(e)
Government Securities International
Other
Absolute return funds(f)
Real assets
Other(g)
Fair value of plan assets
One percentage
point
Increase
Decrease
$
9
121
$ (7)
(92)
Basis of fair value measurement
Balance at
December 31,
2014
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
$1,314
267
608
$ 588
67
137
$ 726
200
471
216
326
425
37
848
53
79
—
101
201
29
3
7
79
216
225
224
8
371
46
—
$ —
—
—
—
—
—
—
474
—
—
$4,173
$1,212
$2,487
$474
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
85
(in millions)
Equities
U.S. large cap(a)
U.S. mid cap(b)
International(c)
Fixed income securities
U.S. government securities(d)
Corporate debt instruments(e)
Government Securities International
Other
Absolute return funds(f)
Real assets
Other(g)
Fair value of plan assets
Basis of fair value measurement
Balance at
December 31,
2013
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
$1,197
244
614
$ 576
62
225
$ 621
182
389
292
212
216
52
704
70
65
35
57
159
45
3
8
62
257
155
57
7
290
62
3
$ —
—
—
—
—
—
—
411
—
—
$3,666
$1,232
$2,023
$411
(a) A mix of pooled index funds and actively managed equity accounts that are benchmarked to various
large cap indices.
(b) A mix of pooled index funds and actively managed equity accounts that are benchmarked to various
mid cap indices.
(c) A mix of pooled index funds and actively managed equity accounts that are benchmarked to various
non-US equity indices in both developed and emerging markets.
(d) Securities held by actively managed accounts, pooled index funds, and mutual funds.
(e) Securities held by actively managed accounts, pooled index funds, and mutual funds.
(f)
Funds having global mandates with the flexibility to allocate capital broadly across a wide range of
asset classes and strategies, including but not limited to equities, fixed income, commodities, financial
futures, currencies, and other securities, with objectives to outperform agreed upon benchmarks of
specific return and volatility targets.
(g)
Investments in cash and cash equivalents.
Equities that are valued using quoted prices are valued at the published market prices. Equities in a
common collective trust or a registered investment company that are valued using significant other
observable inputs are valued at the net asset value (NAV) provided by the fund administrator. The NAV is
based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund minus its liabilities. Fixed income securities
that are valued using significant other observable inputs are valued at prices obtained from independent
financial service industry-recognized vendors. Absolute return funds and commodities are valued at the NAV
provided by the fund administrator.
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The following table summarizes the change in the value of plan assets that are measured using
significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
(in millions)
Balance as of January 1
Actual return on plan assets on hand at year end
Assumption of level 3 assets
Purchases, sales and settlements, net
Balance as of December 31
2014
2013
$ 33
$411
21
4
— 372
2
42
$474
$411
The investment mix of equity securities, fixed income and other asset allocation strategies is based
upon achieving a desired return, balancing higher return, more volatile equity securities, and lower return,
less volatile fixed income securities. Investment allocations are established for each plan and are generally
made across a range of markets, industry sectors, capitalization sizes, and in the case of fixed income
securities, maturities and credit quality. The target investment allocations for the AbbVie Pension Plan is
50% in equity securities, 20% in fixed income securities and 30% in asset allocation strategies and other
holdings. There are no known significant concentrations of risk in the plan assets of the AbbVie Pension
Plan or any other plans’ assets.
The plans’ expected return on assets, as shown above, is based on management’s expectations of
long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing
this assumption, management considers historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the
plans are invested, as well as current economic and capital market conditions.
Expected Pension and Other Post-Employment Payments
(in millions)
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 to 2024
Defined
benefit plans
Other
post-employment
plans
$ 161
170
180
192
204
1,239
$ 10
12
14
15
17
115
The above table reflects total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants, which includes
payments funded from company assets as well as paid from the plans.
Other
Prior to the separation, AbbVie employees also participated in the Abbott Laboratories Stock
Retirement Plan, which was Abbott’s principal defined contribution plan. AbbVie recorded expense of
$67 million in 2012 related to this plan. In connection with the separation, AbbVie established the AbbVie
Savings Plan, which is AbbVie’s principal defined contribution plan, with substantially the same terms as the
Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Plan. AbbVie employees who were eligible to participate in the
Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Plan on December 31, 2012 automatically became eligible for the
AbbVie Savings Plan. AbbVie recorded expense of $67 million in 2014 and $62 million in 2013 related to
this plan.
AbbVie provides certain other post-employment benefits, primarily salary continuation plans, to
qualifying employees and accrues for the related cost over the service lives of the employees.
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Note 12 Equity
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense was $241 million, $212 million and $187 million in 2014, 2013 and
2012, respectively, and is principally classified in SG&A for all periods presented with the remainder
classified in R&D and cost of products sold. The related tax benefit recognized was $73 million, $68 million
and $56 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for 2012 was
allocated to AbbVie based on the portion of Abbott’s incentive stock program in which AbbVie employees
participated.
Compensation expense for stock-based awards is measured based on the fair value of the awards, as
of the date the stock-based awards are granted and adjusted to the estimated number of awards that are
expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience at the time of grant and revised
in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Compensation cost for stock-based
awards is amortized over their service period, which could be shorter than the vesting period if an
employee is retirement eligible, with a charge to compensation expense. For stock-based awards granted to
retirement-eligible employees, compensation expense is recognized immediately at the grant date because
the employee is able to retain the award without continuing to provide service.
Prior to separation, AbbVie employees participated in Abbott’s incentive stock program. The AbbVie
2013 Incentive Stock Program, adopted at the time of separation, facilitated the assumption of certain
awards granted under Abbott’s incentive stock program and authorizes the post-separation grant of several
different forms of benefits, including nonqualified stock options, RSAs, RSUs and performance-based RSAs
and RSUs. Under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program, 100 million shares of common stock were
reserved for issuance with respect to post-separation awards for participants.
In connection with the separation, outstanding Abbott employee stock options, RSAs and RSUs
previously issued under Abbott’s incentive stock program were adjusted and converted into new Abbott and
AbbVie stock-based awards using a formula designed to preserve the intrinsic value and fair value of the
awards immediately prior to the separation. Upon the separation on January 1, 2013, holders of Abbott
stock options, RSAs and RSUs generally received one AbbVie stock-based award for each Abbott stock-based
award outstanding. These adjusted awards retained the vesting schedule and expiration date of the original
awards. No AbbVie awards have been granted to Abbott employees other than in connection with the
separation.
In 2014 and 2013, realized excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation totaled
$56 million and $38 million, respectively, and were presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows
as an outflow within the operating section and an inflow within the financing section.
Stock Options
The exercise price for options granted is at least equal to 100 percent of the market value on the date
of grant. Stock options typically have a contractual term of 10 years and generally vest in one-third
increments over a three-year period.
The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The weighted-average
grant-date fair values of the stock options granted were $9.83, $6.87, and $6.80 for 2014, 2013 and 2012,
respectively. Stock-based compensation expense attributable to options during each of the years presented
was not material.
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The following table summarizes AbbVie stock option activity for both AbbVie and Abbott employees for
the year ended December 31, 2014:
(options in thousands, aggregate intrinsic value in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
Exercisable at December 31, 2014
Weighted-
average
exercise price
Weighted-
Average
remaining
life (in years)
Aggregate
intrinsic value
Options
35,994
1,134
(8,765)
(83)
28,280
$27.48
51.53
27.18
25.97
$28.53
25,497
$27.20
3.6
$ 912
3.3
2.8
$1,044
$ 975
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the exercise price
and the company’s closing stock price on the last day of trading for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2014 and 2013 was $253 million and $229 million,
respectively. For options issued under Abbott’s incentive stock programs to AbbVie employees prior to the
separation, the total intrinsic value of options exercises in 2012 was $170 million. The total fair value of
options vested during 2014 was $8 million.
The excess tax benefit realized from option exercises totaled $46 million for 2014. As of December 31,
2014, $4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized
as expense over approximately the next two years.
RSAs & RSUs
RSAs generally vest over three or five years. For RSAs that vest over five years, no more than one-third
of the award vests in any one year. RSUs vest over three years and, upon vesting, the recipient receives
one share of common stock for each vested RSU. In addition, AbbVie grants selected executives and other
key employees performance-based RSAs and RSUs with vesting contingent upon meeting various
company-wide performance goals, including AbbVie achieving a minimum return on equity. The fair value of
RSAs and RSUs (including performance-based awards) is determined based on the number of shares
granted and the quoted price of the common stock on the date of grant. AbbVie assumes that the
performance goals will be achieved. If such goals are not met, no compensation cost is recognized and any
previously recognized compensation cost is reversed.
The following table summarizes AbbVie RSA and RSU activity (including performance-based awards) for
both AbbVie and Abbott employees for the year ended December 31, 2014:
(share units in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
Granted
Vested
Lapsed
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
Share units
Weighted-average
grant date fair value
14,910
5,112
(6,638)
(569)
12,815
$32.07
51.55
29.43
38.48
$40.98
The fair market value of RSAs and RSUs vested in 2014 and 2013 was $338 million and $285 million,
respectively. For RSAs and RSUs issued under Abbott’s incentive stock programs prior to the separation, the
fair market value of RSAs and RSUs vested in 2012 was $123 million. The weighted-average grant-date fair
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89
value per share of RSAs and RSUs granted in 2012 was $56.07. Such amounts have not been adjusted to
reflect the separation from Abbott.
As of December 31, 2014, $192 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSAs and RSUs is
expected to be recognized as expense over approximately the next two years.
Cash Dividends
On December 12, 2013, the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share
of common stock for stockholders of record on January 15, 2014, which was paid on February 14, 2014.
Additionally, the quarterly cash dividend declared by the board of directors on February 20, 2014 of $0.42
per share, which represented an increase of 5 percent over the previous quarterly rate of $0.40 per share
was paid on May 15. On June 18 and September 19, 2014, the board of directors declared quarterly cash
dividends of $0.42 per share which were paid on August 15 and November 17, 2014, respectively.
Additionally, on October 20, 2014, the board of directors declared an increase in the company’s quarterly
cash dividend from $0.42 per share to $0.49 per share of common stock, for stockholders of record on
January 15, 2015, which was paid on February 13, 2015.
Stock Repurchase Program
On February 15, 2013, AbbVie’s board of directors authorized a $1.5 billion stock repurchase program.
On October 20, 2014, AbbVie’s board of directors authorized a new $5.0 billion stock repurchase program,
which was effective immediately and supersedes the previous authorization, and is expected to be executed
over the next several years. The stock repurchase authorization permits purchases of AbbVie shares from
time to time in open market or private transactions at management’s discretion depending on the
company’s cash flows, net debt level and market conditions. The plan has no time limit and can be
discontinued at any time.
During 2014 and 2013, AbbVie repurchased approximately 9 million shares and 4 million shares for
$550 million and $223 million, respectively, in the open market. Shares repurchased under this program are
recorded at acquisition cost, including related expenses, and are available for general corporate purposes.
AbbVie’s remaining share repurchase authorization was $4.7 billion as of December 31, 2014.
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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table summarizes the changes in balances of each component of AOCI, net of tax for the
years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014:
(in millions) (brackets denote losses)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Other comprehensive income before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Separation-related adjustments
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments
Pension
and post-
employment
benefits
Unrealized
gains
(losses) on
marketable
equity
securities
Hedging
activities
Total
$
8
$
(65)
$ 26
$
6
$
(25)
173
—
173
—
(157)
7
(150)
(296)
(25)
—
(25)
—
(9) $
(18)
(18) $
(27) $
(11)
(29)
— $ (296)
Balance as of December 31, 2012
$
181
$ (511)
$ 1
$
(21) $ (350)
Other comprehensive income before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Separation-related adjustments
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$
48
—
48
241
470
519
79
598
(914)
1
—
1
—
(77) $
491
— $
79
(77) $
570
11
$ (662)
$ (827)
$ 2
$
(87) $ (442)
Other comprehensive income before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)
income
(1,073)
(827)
—
46
(1,073)
(781)
1
—
1
187
$(1,712)
77
$
123
264
$(1,589)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$ (603)
$(1,608)
$ 3
$ 177
$(2,031)
Other comprehensive loss in 2014 includes foreign currency translation adjustments totaling a loss of
$1.1 billion, which was principally driven by (i) the impact of the substantial weakening of the Euro in 2014
on the translation of the company’s Euro-denominated assets, and (ii) the weakening of foreign currencies
in combination with an increased concentration of cash denominated in the foreign currencies accumulated
in anticipation of the terminated proposed combination with Shire plc.
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The table below presents the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated
other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Pension and post-employee benefits
Amortization of actuarial losses and other
Less tax expense
Total reclassification, net of tax
Hedging activities
Gains (losses) on designated cash flow hedges
Less tax expense
Total reclassification, net of tax
Other
2014
2013
$ 66
(20)
$114
(35)
$ 46
$ 79
$(79) $ —
—
2
$(77) $ —
In addition to common stock, AbbVie’s authorized capital includes 200 million shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01. As of December 31, 2014, no shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding.
Note 13 Income Taxes
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Earnings Before Income Taxes
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Domestic
Foreign
Total earnings before income taxes
2014
2013
2012
$(3,245) $ (581) $ 625
5,100
5,913
5,614
$ 2,369
$5,332
$5,725
The increase in the domestic loss before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2014 was
driven by transaction and financing-related costs associated with the terminated proposed combination with
Shire. Refer to Note 4 for further information.
Income Taxes
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Current
Domestic
Foreign
Total current taxes
Deferred
Domestic
Foreign
Total deferred taxes
Total income taxes
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2014 Form 10-K
2014
2013
2012
$ 634
341
$ 226
354
$ 94
252
$ 975
$ 580
$346
$(301) $ 678
(54)
(79)
$ 89
15
(380)
624
104
$ 595
$1,204
$450
Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation
years ended December 31
Statutory tax rate
State taxes, net of federal benefit
Effect of foreign operations
U.S. tax credits
Branded prescription drug fee
Valuation allowances
Resolution of uncertain tax positions
Non-deductible litigation loss
All other, net
Effective tax rate
2014
2013
2012
35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
0.1
0.3
(23.5)
(11.5)
(1.5)
(2.7)
0.3
0.4
—
0.1
— (3.4)
0.6
—
0.3
1.0
—
(11.3)
(8.9)
3.7
3.6
—
—
3.0
25.1% 22.6% 7.9%
The effective tax rate fluctuates year to year due to the allocation of the company’s taxable earnings
among jurisdictions, as well as certain discrete factors and events in each year, including acquisitions and
collaborations. The effective tax rate in 2014, 2013 and 2012 differs from the statutory tax rate principally
due to the benefit from foreign operations which reflects the impact of lower income tax rates in locations
outside the United States, tax exemptions and incentives in Puerto Rico and other foreign tax jurisdictions,
and business development activities together with the cost of repatriation decisions. The effective tax rate
for these periods also reflects the benefit from U.S. tax credits principally related to research and
development credits, the orphan drug tax credit and Puerto Rico excise tax credits. The research and
development credit for 2014 was due to legislation enacted in the fourth quarter that extended the credit
to December 31, 2014.
The increase in the effective tax rate in 2014 was principally driven by additional expenses of
$129 million related to the Branded Prescription Drug Fee, which is non-deductible, and state tax valuation
allowances of $129 million as further discussed in the ‘‘Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities’’ section
following. On July 28, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service issued final rules and regulations for the Branded
Prescription Drug Fee, an annual non-tax-deductible fee payable to the federal government under the
Affordable Care Act based on an allocation of a company’s market share for branded prescription drugs
sold to certain government programs in the prior year. The final rules accelerated the expense recognition
criteria for the fee obligation from the year in which the fee is paid, to the year in which the market share
used to allocate the fee is determined. This change required AbbVie and other industry participants to
recognize an additional year of expense in 2014.
The effective income tax rate in 2014 and 2013 reflects income tax expenses relating to current
earnings outside the United States that are not deemed indefinitely reinvested. In 2012, the effective
income tax rate includes the recognition of tax benefits totaling approximately $195 million as a result of
favorable resolutions of various tax positions pertaining to prior years.
Puerto Rico enacted legislation that assesses an excise tax beginning in 2011 on certain products
manufactured in Puerto Rico. The tax is levied on gross inventory purchases from entities in Puerto Rico
and is included in cost of products sold in the consolidated statements of earnings. The majority of the tax
is creditable for U.S. income tax purposes.
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Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
as of December 31 (in millions)
Deferred tax assets
Compensation and employee benefits
Accruals and reserves
Chargebacks and rebates
Deferred revenue
Depreciation
State income taxes
Other
Net operating losses and other credit carryforwards
Total deferred tax assets
Valuation allowances
Total net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Excess of book basis over tax basis of intangible assets
Repatriation of foreign earnings
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax asset
2014
2013
$ 627
376
297
382
53
62
230
125
$
279
252
333
348
64
67
122
115
2,152
(172)
1,580
(43)
$1,980
$ 1,537
$ (331) $ (508)
(606)
(326)
$ (657) $(1,114)
$1,323
$
423
Gross federal net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2014 were $19 million and are
available for use through 2030. Gross state net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards as of
December 31, 2014 were $1.1 billion and $91 million, respectively. The state tax carryforwards expire in
periods between 2017 and 2034. As of December 31, 2014, foreign net operating loss carryforwards were
$113 million. The majority of the foreign loss carryforwards do not have an expiration period.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the company had valuation allowances of $172 million and
$43 million, respectively, principally related to state net operating losses and credit carryforwards that are
not expected to be realized.
Deferred income taxes have not been provided on approximately $23 billion of the undistributed
earnings of foreign subsidiaries as these earnings have been indefinitely reinvested for continued use in
foreign operations. Due to the complexities in tax laws and assumptions that would have to be made, it is
not practicable to estimate the amount of income taxes that would be due if these earnings were
distributed.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
years ended December 31 (in millions)
Balance as of January 1
Increase due to current year tax positions
Increase due to prior year tax positions
Decrease due to prior year tax positions
Settlements
Lapse of statutes of limitations
Separation-related adjustments
Balance as of December 31
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2014
2013
2012
$ 1,140
$247
195
115
—
67
—
(6)
—
—
—
(2)
— (1,088)
$1,039
370
1
(220)
(50)
—
—
$421
$
247
$1,140
AbbVie and Abbott entered into a tax sharing agreement, effective on the date of separation, which
provides that Abbott is liable for and has indemnified AbbVie against all income tax liabilities for periods
prior to the separation.
The table above reflects the 2013 reduction of $1.1 billion relating to tax periods prior to the
separation for which Abbott is the primary obligor. However, under U.S. Treasury Regulations, each member
of a consolidated group is severally liable for the U.S. federal income tax liability of each other member of
the consolidated group. Accordingly, with respect to periods in which AbbVie was included in Abbott’s
consolidated group, AbbVie could be liable to the U.S. government for any U.S. federal income tax liability
incurred by the consolidated group, to the extent not discharged by any other member. However, if any
such liability were imposed, AbbVie would be entitled to be indemnified by Abbott pursuant to the tax
sharing agreement.
AbbVie will be responsible for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties for periods
after separation or in instances where an existing entity was transferred to AbbVie upon separation. As a
result, AbbVie has continued to account for these tax uncertainties. To the extent that these obligations
relate to periods prior to the separation, a reimbursement receivable of approximately $41 million has been
recorded within other assets at December 31, 2014.
If recognized, the net amount of potential tax benefits that would impact the company’s effective tax
rate is $389 million and $218 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The company is routinely audited by
the tax authorities in significant jurisdictions, and a number of audits are currently underway. It is
reasonably possible during the next twelve months that uncertain tax positions may be settled, which could
result in a decrease in the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the potential for resolution of
federal, state, and foreign examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, the company’s
gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the next twelve months up to $31 million. All
significant federal, state, local, and international matters have been concluded for years through 2005. The
company believes adequate provision has been made for all income tax uncertainties.
AbbVie recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax
expense. The amounts expensed and the liabilities accrued are immaterial as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. Uncertain tax positions are generally included as a long-term liability
on the consolidated balance sheets.
Note 14 Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Subject to certain exceptions specified in the separation agreement, AbbVie assumed the liability for,
and control of, all pending and threatened legal matters related to its business, including liabilities for any
claims or legal proceedings related to products that had been part of its business but were discontinued
prior to the distribution, as well as assumed or retained liabilities, and will indemnify Abbott for any
liability arising out of or resulting from such assumed legal matters. AbbVie is involved in various claims,
legal proceedings and investigations, including those described below. The recorded accrual balance for
litigation at December 31, 2014 was not significant. Within the next year, other legal proceedings may
occur that may result in a change in the estimated loss accrued by AbbVie. While it is not feasible to
predict the outcome of all other proceedings and exposures with certainty, management believes that their
ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on AbbVie’s consolidated financial position,
cash flows, or results of operations.
Several pending lawsuits filed against Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a
company Abbott acquired in February 2010 and now known as AbbVie Products LLC) and others were
consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
under the Multi-District Litigation Rules as In re AndroGel Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2084. These cases,
brought by private plaintiffs and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), generally allege Solvay’s 2006 patent
litigation involving AndroGel was sham litigation and the patent litigation settlement agreement and related
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agreements with three generic companies violate federal and state antitrust laws and state consumer
protection and unjust enrichment laws. Plaintiffs generally seek monetary damages and/or injunctive relief
and attorneys’ fees. MDL 2084 includes: (a) three individual plaintiff lawsuits; (b) seven purported class
actions; and (c) Federal Trade Commission v. Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al., filed in May 2009 in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Following the district court’s dismissal of
all plaintiffs’ claims, appellate proceedings led to the reinstatement of the claims regarding the patent
litigation settlement, which are proceeding in discovery in the district court.
In September 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed suit in the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against AbbVie and others, alleging that 2011 patent litigation with
two generic companies regarding AndroGel was sham litigation and the patent litigation settlement with
one of those generic companies violates federal antitrust laws. The FTC’s complaint seeks monetary
damages and injunctive relief.
In August 2013, a putative class action lawsuit, Sidney Hillman Health Center of Rochester, et al. v.
AbbVie Inc., et al., was filed against AbbVie in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois by three healthcare benefit providers alleging violations of federal RICO statutes and state deceptive
business practice and unjust enrichment laws in connection with reimbursements for certain uses of
Depakote from 1998 to 2012. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages and/or equitable relief and attorneys’ fees.
On August 14, 2014, the district court dismissed all of the plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice. Plaintiffs have
appealed the district court’s decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, where
the matter is currently pending.
Lawsuits have been filed against AbbVie and others generally alleging that the 2005 patent litigation
settlement involving Niaspan(cid:2) entered into between Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a company acquired by
Abbott Laboratories in 2006 and presently a subsidiary of AbbVie) and a generic company violates federal
and state antitrust laws and state unfair and deceptive trade practices and unjust enrichment laws. Plaintiffs
generally seek monetary damages and/or injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. In September 2013, all of
these pending putative class action lawsuits were centralized for consolidated or coordinated pre-trial
proceedings in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under the Multi-
District Litigation Rules as In re Niaspan Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2460.
In November 2007, GlaxoSmithKline filed a lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that Abbott violated antitrust laws in
connection with the 2003 Norvir re-pricing. In March 2011, a jury found that Abbott did not violate
antitrust laws, but breached its license agreement with the plaintiff. In January 2014, a 3-judge panel of the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed this verdict and remanded the case for a new
trial due to the alleged improper exclusion of a potential juror. The case has been returned to the trial
court for further proceedings. AbbVie assumed the liability for and control of this proceeding in connection
with its separation from Abbott.
AbbVie is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to testosterone gel (a drug AbbVie sells under
the trademark AndroGel(cid:2) 1.62%). In a case filed in the United States District Court for the District of
Delaware in February 2013, AbbVie alleges that Perrigo Company’s and Perrigo Israel Pharmaceutical Ltd.’s
proposed generic product infringes AbbVie patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. In a second
case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in March 2013, AbbVie alleges that
Watson Laboratories Inc.’s and Actavis Inc.’s proposed generic product infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks
declaratory and injunctive relief. In November 2014, AbbVie, Watson and Actavis entered into a confidential
settlement and license agreement. The litigation was dismissed by stipulation of the parties.
AbbVie is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to ritonavir/lopinavir tablets (a drug AbbVie sells
under the trademark Kaletra(cid:2)). In a case filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois in March 2009, AbbVie alleges that Matrix Laboratories, Inc.’s, Matrix Laboratories, Ltd.’s, and
Mylan, Inc.’s proposed generic products infringe AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
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2014 Form 10-K
Upon Matrix’s motion in November 2009, the court granted a five-year stay of the litigation unless good
cause to lift the stay is shown. On July 1, 2014, the stay was lifted pursuant to the original terms of the
court order entered in 2009.
AbbVie is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to ritonavir tablets (a drug AbbVie sells under
the trademark Norvir(cid:2)). In a case pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of
Ohio since April 2012, AbbVie alleges that Roxane Laboratories, Inc.’s (Roxane) proposed generic product
infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. In another case filed in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in July 2013, AbbVie alleges that Roxane’s proposed
generic ritonavir product infringes additional AbbVie patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief on
these additional patents. In September 2014, AbbVie and Roxane entered into a settlement and license
agreement, the date of which license is confidential. The parties entered into a stipulation to dismiss the
Ohio litigation. In a separate case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in
May 2013, AbbVie alleges that Hetero USA Inc.’s and Hetero Labs Limited’s proposed generic ritonavir
tablets product infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. In November 2014,
AbbVie and Hetero entered into a confidential settlement and license agreement and the litigation was
dismissed by stipulation of the parties. In a separate case filed in the United States District Court for the
District of Delaware in July 2014, AbbVie alleges that Aurobindo Pharma Limited and Aurobindo Pharma
USA Inc.’s proposed generic ritonavir tablets product infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and
injunctive relief. In December 2014, AbbVie and Aurobindo entered into a confidential settlement and
license agreement and the litigation was dismissed by stipulation of the parties. In a separate case filed in
the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in October 2014, AbbVie alleges that Mylan
Pharmaceutical Inc.’s proposed generic ritonavir tablets product infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks
declaratory and injunctive relief.
AbbVie is seeking to enforce certain patent rights that cover the use of fully human anti-TNF alpha
antibodies with methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis. In a case filed in the United States District Court
for the District of Massachusetts in May 2009, AbbVie alleges Centocor Ortho Biotech, Inc.’s (now Janssen
Biotech, Inc.’s) product Simponi(cid:2) infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks damages and injunctive relief. In
December 2014, the parties entered into a settlement and license agreement, the terms of which are
confidential. The litigation was dismissed with prejudice.
In November 2014, five individuals filed a putative class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers and
sellers of certain Shire plc securities between June 20 and October 14, 2014, against AbbVie and its chief
executive officer in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging that the
defendants made and/or are responsible for material misstatements in violation of federal securities laws in
connection with AbbVie’s proposed transaction with Shire. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary
damages and injunctive relief.
In November 2014, a putative class action lawsuit, Medical Mutual of Ohio v. AbbVie Inc., et al., was
filed against several manufacturers of testosterone replacement therapies (‘‘TRTs’’), including AbbVie, in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of all insurance companies, health
benefit providers, and other third-party payors who paid for TRTs, including AndroGel. The claims asserted
include violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and state consumer
fraud and deceptive trade practices laws. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary and injunctive relief.
In December 2014, a shareholder derivative lawsuit, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 60 Pension
Plans v. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, et al., was filed in Delaware Chancery Court, alleging that AbbVie’s
directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Shire transaction approval and termination.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory damages for AbbVie, among other relief.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
97
Note 15 Segment and Geographic Area Information
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
AbbVie operates in one business segment—pharmaceutical products. Substantially all of AbbVie’s U.S.
sales are to three wholesalers. Outside the United States, products are sold primarily to health care
providers or through distributors, depending on the market served. Worldwide net sales of key products
were as follows:
years ended December 31 (in millions)
2014
2013
2012
HUMIRA
AndroGel
Kaletra
Synagis
Lupron
Synthroid
Sevoflurane
Creon
Dyslipidemia products
Duodopa
VIEKIRA
All other
Net sales
$12,543
934
870
835
778
709
550
516
328
220
48
1,629
$10,659
1,035
962
827
785
622
568
412
1,076
178
—
1,666
$ 9,265
1,152
1,013
825
800
551
602
353
2,145
149
—
1,525
$19,960
$18,790
$18,380
Net sales to external customers, based on the country that sold the product, were as follows:
years ended December 31 (in millions)
United States
Germany
The Netherlands
United Kingdom
France
Japan
Canada
Spain
Brazil
Italy
All other countries
Net sales
2014
2013
2012
$10,845
1,035
969
722
584
581
551
534
435
432
3,272
$10,181
911
858
606
540
625
538
543
439
404
3,145
$10,435
756
776
552
500
718
500
525
434
408
2,776
$19,960
$18,790
$18,380
Long-lived assets include net property and equipment of $2.5 billion and $2.3 billion as of
December 31, 2014 and 2013, of which $1.8 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, was located in the United
States and Puerto Rico and $551 million and $591 million, respectively, was located in Europe.
98
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2014 Form 10-K
Note 16 Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(in millions except per share data)
First Quarter
Net sales
Gross margin
Net earnings
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Cash dividends declared per common share
Second Quarter
Net sales
Gross margin
Net earnings
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Cash dividends declared per common share
Third Quarter
Net sales
Gross margin
Net earnings
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Cash dividends declared per common share
Fourth Quarter
Net sales
Gross margin
Net (loss) earnings
Basic (loss) earnings per share
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
Cash dividends declared per common share
2014
2013
$4,563
3,463
980
0.61
0.61
0.42
$4,926
3,813
1,098
0.69
0.68
0.42
$5,019
3,925
506
0.32
0.31
0.42
$5,452
4,333
(810)
(0.51)
(0.51)
0.49
(b)
(c)
(c)
$4,329
3,176
968
0.61
0.60
0.80(a)
$4,692
3,638
1,068
0.67
0.66
0.40
$4,658
3,566
964
0.60
0.60
0.40
$5,111
3,829
1,128
0.70
0.70
0.40
(a) On January 4, 2013, a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock was declared from
pre-separation earnings and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. Refer to Note 12
for additional information regarding cash dividends declared in 2013.
(b) Results for the fourth quarter of 2014 include transaction and financing-related and other costs
incurred in connection with the terminated proposed combination with Shire, a $750 million after-tax
charge related to a research and development collaboration agreement with Calico, and a $173 million
after-tax charge as a result of entering into a global collaboration with Infinity. Refer to Notes 4 and 6
for further information relating to the termination of the proposed combination with Shire and the
collaborations with Calico and Infinity, respectively.
(c) Basic loss per share for the fourth quarter of 2014 was calculated under the treasury-stock method as
it was more dilutive. Approximately 36 million common shares were excluded from the computation of
diluted (loss) per share assuming dilution because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
99
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of AbbVie Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income,
equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
consolidated financial position of AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report
dated February 20, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 20, 2015
100
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2014 Form 10-K
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of AbbVie Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of earnings, comprehensive income, equity
and cash flows of AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries (the ‘‘Company’’) for the year ended December 31, 2012.
These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the combined financial statements are free of material misstatement. The
Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis
for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of
operations and cash flows of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As described in Note 1, the accompanying combined financial statements have been derived from the
consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Abbott Laboratories. The combined financial
statements also include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically provided by Abbott
Laboratories. These allocations may not be reflective of the actual expense which would have been incurred
had the Company operated as a separate entity apart from Abbott Laboratories.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 15, 2013
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
101
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
The Chief Executive Officer, Richard A. Gonzalez,
and the Chief Financial Officer, William J. Chase, evaluated the effectiveness of AbbVie’s disclosure controls
and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, and concluded that AbbVie’s disclosure
controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information AbbVie is required to disclose in the
reports that it files or submits with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the
Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by AbbVie in the
reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to AbbVie’s
management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report on
internal control over financial reporting is included on page 103 hereof. The report of AbbVie’s independent
registered public accounting firm related to its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting is included on page 104 hereof.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. As part of its separation from Abbott, AbbVie
began a phased global implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system, related technology
infrastructure and transaction processing services to replace the information technology infrastructure and
transactional services provided to AbbVie by Abbott under various transition services agreements. These
initiatives, which are expected to be completed in 2015, will include modifications to the design and
operation of controls over financial reporting. AbbVie reviews these controls for design effectiveness prior
to the implementation of each phase.
There were no other changes in AbbVie’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, AbbVie’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2014.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls. AbbVie’s management, including its Chief Executive
Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that AbbVie’s disclosure controls or internal control
over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well
designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s
objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource
constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the
inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that
misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any,
have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can
be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be
circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by
management override of the controls.
The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of
future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals
under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future
periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions
or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
None.
102
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of AbbVie is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
AbbVie’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. However, all internal control
systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined
to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and
reporting.
Management assessed the effectiveness of AbbVie’s internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework
(2013 framework). Based on that assessment, management concluded that AbbVie maintained effective
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.
The effectiveness of AbbVie’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their
attestation report appearing on page 104 hereof, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the
effectiveness of AbbVie’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
103
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of AbbVie Inc.
We have audited AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria).
AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over
financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on
our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting,
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control
over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of
records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the
assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and
that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a
material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries’ maintained, in all material respects, effective internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related
consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for the years then
ended, and our report dated February 20, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 20, 2015
104
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2014 Form 10-K
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Incorporated herein by reference are ‘‘Information Concerning Director Nominees,’’ ‘‘The Board of
Directors and its Committees—Committees of the Board of Directors,’’ ‘‘Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance,’’ and ‘‘Procedure for Recommendation and Nomination of Directors and Transaction
of Business at Annual Meeting’’ to be included in the 2015 AbbVie Inc. Proxy Statement. The 2015 Proxy
Statement will be filed on or about March 20, 2015. Also incorporated herein by reference is the text found
under the caption, ‘‘Executive Officers of the Registrant’’ on pages 27 and 28 hereof.
AbbVie’s code of business conduct requires all its business activities to be conducted in compliance
with laws, regulations, and ethical principles and values. All directors, officers, and employees of AbbVie are
required to read, understand, and abide by the requirements of the code of business conduct applicable to
them. AbbVie’s code of business conduct is available in the corporate governance section of AbbVie’s
investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.
Any waiver of the code of business conduct for directors or executive officers may be made only by
AbbVie’s audit committee. AbbVie will disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the code
of conduct for the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or
controller, or persons performing similar functions, on its website within four business days following the
date of the amendment or waiver. In addition, AbbVie will disclose any waiver from the code of business
conduct for the other executive officers and for directors on the website.
AbbVie has a chief ethics and compliance officer who reports to the chief executive officer and to the
public policy committee. The chief ethics and compliance officer is responsible for overseeing,
administering, and monitoring AbbVie’s compliance program.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The material to be included in the 2015 Proxy Statement under the headings ‘‘Director Compensation,’’
‘‘Executive Compensation,’’ and ‘‘Compensation Committee Report’’ is incorporated herein by reference. The
2015 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 20, 2015.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(a) Equity Compensation Plan Information.
The following table presents information as of December 31, 2014 about AbbVie’s equity compensation
plans under which AbbVie common stock has been authorized for issuance.
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Total
(a)
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights(1)
39,352,086
—
39,352,086
(b)
Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights(2)
$28.53
—
$28.53
(c)
Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a))
91,010,677
—
91,010,677
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
105
(1)
Includes 28,203,371 shares issuable under AbbVie’s Incentive Stock Program pursuant to awards
granted by Abbott and adjusted into AbbVie awards in connection with AbbVie’s separation from
Abbott.
(2) The weighted-average exercise price does not include outstanding restricted stock units and restricted
stock awards that have no exercise price.
(b)
Information Concerning Security Ownership.
Incorporated herein by reference is the material under
the heading ‘‘Securities Ownership—Securities Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors’’ in the
2015 Proxy Statement. The 2015 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 20, 2015.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
INDEPENDENCE
The material to be included in the 2015 Proxy Statement under the headings ‘‘The Board of Directors
and its Committees,’’ ‘‘Corporate Governance Materials,’’ and ‘‘Procedures for Approval of Related Person
Transactions’’ is incorporated herein by reference. The 2015 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about
March 20, 2015.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The material to be included in the 2015 Proxy Statement under the headings ‘‘Audit Fees and
Non-Audit Fees’’ and ‘‘Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services
of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’’ is incorporated herein by reference. The 2015 Proxy
Statement will be filed on or about March 20, 2015.
106
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2014 Form 10-K
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(a) Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K.
(1) Financial Statements:
See Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,’’ on page 56
hereof, for a list of financial statements.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules: All schedules omitted are inapplicable or the information required
is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
The information called for by this paragraph is
incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibit Index on pages 109 through 111 of this
Form 10-K.
(b) Exhibits filed (see Exhibit Index on pages 109 through 111).
(c)
Financial Statement Schedules: None applicable.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
107
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
AbbVie Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
SIGNATURES
AbbVie Inc.
By: /s/ RICHARD A. GONZALEZ
Name: Richard A. Gonzalez
Title:
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 20, 2015
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed
below by the following persons on behalf of AbbVie Inc. on February 20, 2015 in the capacities indicated
below.
/s/ WILLIAM J. CHASE
William J. Chase
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ ROXANNE S. AUSTIN
Roxanne S. Austin
Director of AbbVie Inc.
/s/ EDWARD M. LIDDY
Edward M. Liddy
Director of AbbVie Inc.
/s/ ROY S. ROBERTS
Roy S. Roberts
Director of AbbVie Inc.
/s/ FREDERICK H. WADDELL
Frederick H. Waddell
Director of AbbVie Inc.
/s/ RICHARD A. GONZALEZ
Richard A. Gonzalez
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ THOMAS A. HURWICH
Thomas A. Hurwich
Vice President, Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ ROBERT J. ALPERN, M.D.
Robert J. Alpern, M.D.
Director of AbbVie Inc.
/s/ WILLIAM H.L. BURNSIDE
William H.L. Burnside
Director of AbbVie Inc.
/s/ EDWARD J. RAPP
Edward J. Rapp
Director of AbbVie Inc.
/s/ GLENN F. TILTON
Glenn F. Tilton
Director of AbbVie Inc.
108
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
ABBVIE INC.
ANNUAL REPORT
FORM 10-K
2014
Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are furnished herewith and should not be deemed to be ‘‘filed’’ under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Exhibit
Number
2.1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
Exhibit Description
*Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of November 28, 2012 by and between Abbott
Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Amendment No. 6 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on November 30, 2012).
*Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
*Amended and Restated By-Laws of AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
*Indenture dated as of November 8, 2012 between AbbVie Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment No. 5 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 10 filed on November 16, 2012).
*Supplemental Indenture No. 1 dated as of November 8, 2012 among AbbVie Inc. and U.S. Bank
National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Amendment No. 5 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on November 16, 2012).
*U.S. Transition Services Agreement dated as of December 31, 2012 by and between Abbott
Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
*Ex-U.S. Transition Services Agreement dated as of December 31, 2012 by and between Abbott
Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
*Tax Sharing Agreement entered into as of December 31, 2012 by and between Abbott
Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
*Special Products Master Agreement dated as of December 31, 2012 by and between Abbott
Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
*Employee Matters Agreement dated as of December 31, 2012 by and between Abbott
Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
*Information Technology Agreement dated as of December 31, 2012 by and between Abbott
Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
10.11
*Transitional Trademark License Agreement dated as of December 31, 2012 by and between
Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013).
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
109
Exhibit
Number
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
Exhibit Description
*Form of Finished Goods Supply Agreements by and between Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 10 filed on September 4, 2012).
*Form of Contract Manufacturing Agreements by and between Abbott Laboratories and
AbbVie Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on September 4, 2012).
*Form of Agreement Regarding Change in Control by and between AbbVie Inc. and its named
executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Amendment No. 5 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on November 16, 2012).**
*AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the AbbVie Inc.
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated March 15, 2013).**
*AbbVie 2013 Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013).**
*AbbVie 2013 Performance Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013).**
*AbbVie Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013).**
*AbbVie Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013).**
*AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013).**
*AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013).**
*Purchase Agreement dated November 5, 2012 between AbbVie Inc., Abbott Laboratories, as
guarantor, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of
Amendment No. 6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on November 30,
2012).
*Form of AbbVie Inc. Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 2013).**
*Form of AbbVie Inc. Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 2013).**
*Form of AbbVie Inc. Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (CEO/Chairman) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 2013).**
*Form of AbbVie Inc. Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (Annual) (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2013).**
110
13NOV201221352027
2014 Form 10-K
Exhibit
Number
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
12
21
23.1
23.2
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101
Exhibit Description
*Form of AbbVie Inc. Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (Interim) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 2013).**
*Form of AbbVie Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2013).**
*Form of AbbVie Inc. Non-Qualified Replacement Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 2013).**
*Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2014, among AbbVie, New AbbVie, Foreign
HoldCo, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the lenders and other parties party thereto (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 21,
2014).
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Subsidiaries of AbbVie Inc.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The following financial statements and notes from the AbbVie Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on February 20, 2015, formatted in XBRL:
(i) Consolidated Statements of Earnings; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income;
(iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Equity; (v) Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The AbbVie Inc. 2015 Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under separate cover on or about March 20, 2015.
*
Incorporated herein by reference. Commission file number 001-35565.
** Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit
hereto.
AbbVie will furnish copies of any of the above exhibits to a stockholder upon written request to the
Secretary, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064.
2014 Form 10-K
13NOV201221352027
111
(This page has been left blank intentionally.)
13NOV201221352027
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
14FEB201503004075
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 8, 2015
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of AbbVie Inc. will be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park,
200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, on Friday, May 8, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. CT for the following purposes:
•
•
•
•
To elect 3 directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors are elected
(Item 1),
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie’s independent registered public accounting firm
for 2015 (Item 2),
To vote on an advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation (Item 3), and
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Your Vote Is Important
Please promptly vote your shares by telephone, using the Internet, or by signing and returning your proxy in
the enclosed envelope if you received a printed version.
The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR Items 1, 2, and 3 on the proxy card.
The close of business on March 11, 2015, has been fixed as the record date for determining the stockholders
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
AbbVie’s 2015 Proxy Statement and 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at
www.abbvieinvestor.com. If you are a registered stockholder, you may access your proxy card by either:
•
•
Going to the following website: www.proxyvote.com, entering the information requested on your computer
screen and following the simple instructions, or
Calling (in the United States, U.S. territories, and Canada) toll free 1-800-690-6903 on a touch-tone
telephone and following the simple instructions provided by the recorded message.
Admission to the meeting will be by admission card only. If you plan to attend, please complete and return the
reservation form in the back of these materials and an admission card will be sent to you. Due to space limitations,
reservation forms must be received before May 1, 2015. Each admission card, along with photo identification, admits one
person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.
By order of the board of directors.
Laura J. Schumacher
Secretary
March 20, 2015
13NOV201221352027
PROXY STATEMENT
14FEB201503004427
Table of Contents
Proxy Statement Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information about the Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Who Can Vote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notice and Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voting by Proxy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Revoking a Proxy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discretionary Voting Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quorum and Vote Required to Approve Each Item on the Proxy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspectors of Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of Soliciting Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AbbVie Savings Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate Governance Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information Concerning Director Nominees (Item 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Board of Directors and its Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Communicating with the Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Director Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securities Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation Discussion and Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation Risk Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary Compensation Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 Option Exercises and Stock Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Item 2) . . . . . . . . .
Audit Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audit Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Say on Pay—Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation (Item 3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
11
14
15
17
19
19
32
32
33
37
38
40
40
44
44
48
49
50
51
52
13NOV201221352027
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
14FEB201503004602
The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the board of directors for use at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. The meeting will be held on May 8, 2015, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus
Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. This summary highlights selected information in the Proxy Statement. Please review the
entire Proxy Statement and the AbbVie 2014 Annual Report before voting.
2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Date and Time: May 8, 2015 9:00 a.m. CT
Location: Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Record Date: March 11, 2015
How to Vote: Stockholders as of the record date are entitled to vote via Internet at www.proxyvote.com; by telephone at
1-800-690-6903; by returning a completed proxy card; or in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Voting Items and Board Recommendations
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3
Election of Directors
Ratification of Independent Auditor
Say on Pay—Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation
Board Recommendations
FOR All Nominees
FOR
FOR
Business Overview and Performance Highlights
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Business Overview. AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets
advanced therapies for some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. Our products support the treatment of
conditions such as chronic autoimmune disease (including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease), hepatitis C
virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), endometriosis, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, complications
associated with cystic fibrosis, and other health conditions. Our pipeline includes more than 40 compounds or indications
in development across important medical specialties such as immunology, virology/liver disease, oncology, renal disease,
neurological diseases, and women’s health.
13FEB201501375473
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
1
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
Performance Highlights.
In 2014, AbbVie continued to deliver on our commitment to stockholders by growing
our sales and earnings, significantly increasing our quarterly dividend, and delivering top quartile returns. The measures
set forth below were calculated as of December 31, 2014.
105.7%
2-year total shareholder return since 2013 incep(cid:2)on
28% total shareholder return in 2014
$49BN
Increase in market cap since AbbVie launch
Added significant stockholder value with a market cap over $100 billion
22.5%
Increase in quarterly dividend since AbbVie launch
Raised quarterly dividend to $0.49 per share from $0.40 per share at separa(cid:2)on
7.1%
5.7%
40+
Adjusted opera(cid:2)onal sales growth vs. 2013*
Delivered growth a year ahead of schedule
Adjusted earnings per share growth vs. 2013*
Significantly outperformed original guidance to deliver 2014 adjusted EPS of $3.32/share
Ac(cid:2)ve clinical development programs
Most robust pipeline in company history
17MAR201515325913
*Adjusted sales and adjusted earnings per share are reported and reconciled in our
Form 8-K dated January 30, 2015.
Additional Highlights:
•
•
In 2014, AbbVie delivered Humira sales of $12.5 billion, an increase of nearly 19% compared to 2013 on a
constant currency basis. Humira’s performance was driven by market growth across therapeutic categories
and geographies, approval of new indications, and market share gains. Sales growth also was driven by
strong performance from other key brands including Synagis, Synthroid, Creon and Duodopa.
In December 2014, we secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for our interferon-free
HCV regimen, Viekira Pak.
• With a record number of programs currently in mid- and late-stage development spanning large and growing
specialty categories, in 2014 we continued to advance our compelling R&D pipeline. This includes numerous
data and regulatory milestones and phase transitions.
• We further enhanced our pipeline by announcing a strategic collaboration with Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
to develop and commercialize duvelisib (IPI-145) for the treatment of blood cancers, and we entered into a
novel R&D collaboration with Calico Life Sciences LLC, a life sciences company backed by Google Inc., to
discover, develop, and bring to market new therapies for patients with age-related diseases.
13FEB201501375473
2
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
Corporate Governance Highlights
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Our board of directors is committed to strong corporate governance tailored to meet the needs of AbbVie and
its stockholders to enhance stockholder value. Highlights of our governance include:
Governance Practice
For more information
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
Independent lead director with robust responsibilities is selected
by the Board
8 of 9 directors are independent and regularly meet in executive
session
All members of the audit, compensation, nominations and
governance and public policy committees are independent
Policy prohibiting hedging and pledging
Robust stock ownership guidelines
Disclosure of our corporate political contributions and our trade
association dues and oversight process
Clawback authority in the event of financial restatement to
recover incentive plan awards
Related person transaction policy to ensure appropriate oversight
We do not have a shareholder rights plan or ‘‘poison pill’’
Our directors are elected by a majority vote of our stockholders
for uncontested elections and we have a resignation policy if the
director fails to receive a majority of the votes cast
We hold an annual say-on-pay advisory vote on executive
compensation
Our governance guidelines restrict the number of boards our
directors may serve on to prevent overboarding
Annual board and committee self-assessments and annual
succession planning
We are guided by strong ethics programs and supplier guidelines
For inclusion on the Board, the Nominations and Governance
Committee considers diversity of ethnicity, gender, and geography
p. 11
p. 11
p. 12
p. 31
p. 31
http://www.abbvie.com/responsibility/
transparency-policies/corporate-political-
participation.html
p. 31
p. 52
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
p. 7
p. 51
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Corporate Governance Guidelines
http://www.abbvie.com/responsibility/
home.html
pp. 13-14
Executive Compensation Highlights
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
At AbbVie, the board believes a well-designed compensation program should align executive interests with the
drivers of profitable growth and stockholder returns, support achievement of the company’s primary business goals, and
attract and retain world-class executives whose talents and contributions sustain the growth in long-term stockholder
value. Consequently, the compensation committee of the board has designed and implemented an executive
compensation program in which a substantial majority of named executive officer (NEO) compensation at AbbVie is
performance-based.
When determining the compensation levels of the NEOs, the committee first considers the median of the
competitive marketplace (as derived primarily from the health care peer group approved by the committee) as an initial
benchmark for assessing compensation. The committee then takes into account the company’s overall performance
against the financial, operating and strategic objectives that were established at the start of the performance period.
Finally, specific pay determinations are made for each NEO based on his or her individual performance and contributions
to the short- and long-term performance of the company.
13FEB201501375473
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
3
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
Three primary components make up AbbVie’s executive pay program: base salary, short-term incentives and
long-term incentives. The structure of each component is tailored to serve a specific function and purpose.
Base Salary
Individual salaries are established rela(cid:2)ve to market median based on each NEO's
performance, skills and experience, and internal equity
Short-Term
Incen(cid:2)ves
Long-Term
Incen(cid:2)ves
Plan u(cid:2)lizes financial and non-
financial goals, as well as an
assessment of individual performance
against strategic objec(cid:2)ves, such as:
— Adjusted diluted EPS
— Adjusted net sales
— Adjusted income before taxes
— Adjusted return on assets
— Strategic and leadership goals
• Long-term incen(cid:2)ve awards are
granted in the form of:
— Performance-vested restricted
stock (75% of NEO's LTI award)
— Non-qualified stock op(cid:2)ons
(25% of NEO's LTI award)
• Levels of awards NEOs receive vary
according to plan design and
performance as reviewed by our
compensa(cid:2)on commi(cid:3)ee
• Awards are based on historical peer
and company performance,
expecta(cid:2)ons for our pipeline
products, and expected business,
market and regulatory condi(cid:2)ons
• Compensa(cid:2)on commi(cid:3)ee
establishes maximum award
alloca(cid:2)ons for plan par(cid:2)cipants each
year as a percentage of consolidated
net earnings (in addi(cid:2)on, awards are
capped at 200% of target beginning
in 2015)
• Awards are based on LTI program
goals and company business
performance, as well as individual
factors
• Commi(cid:3)ee determines grants for
each NEO based on its assessment
of performance and progress against
strategic milestones
9MAR201523042881
4
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
13FEB201501375473
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
14FEB201503003551
Who Can Vote
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2015 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Annual Meeting. As of March 11, 2015, AbbVie had 1,592,145,669 outstanding shares of common stock, which are
AbbVie’s only outstanding voting securities. Each stockholder has one vote per share. Stockholders do not have the right
to vote cumulatively in electing directors.
Notice and Access
In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) e-proxy rules, AbbVie mailed a Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the ‘‘Notice’’) to stockholders in March 2015. The Notice describes the matters to
be considered at the Annual Meeting and how stockholders can access the proxy materials online. It also provides
instructions on how stockholders can vote their shares. If you received the Notice, you will not receive a printed version
of the proxy materials unless you request one. If you would like to receive a printed version of the proxy materials, free
of charge, please follow the instructions on the Notice.
Voting by Proxy
AbbVie’s stockholders may vote their shares by telephone, the Internet, or at the Annual Meeting. If you vote by
telephone or the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card. The instructions for voting can be found on the
Notice, on the website listed in the Notice, and, if you received one, on your proxy card. If you requested a printed
version of the proxy card, you may also vote by mail.
Revoking a Proxy
You may revoke your proxy by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or, at any time prior to the meeting:
•
•
•
by delivering a written notice to the secretary of AbbVie,
by delivering an authorized proxy with a later date, or
by voting by telephone or the Internet after you have given your proxy.
Discretionary Voting Authority
Unless authority is withheld in accordance with the instructions on the proxy, the persons named in the proxy
will vote the shares of AbbVie common stock covered by proxies they receive to elect the 3 nominees named in Item 1
on the proxy card. If a nominee becomes unavailable to serve, the shares will be voted for a substitute designated by
the board of directors or for fewer than 3 nominees if, in the judgment of the proxy holders, such action is necessary or
desirable.
Where a stockholder has specified a choice for or against the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young
LLP as AbbVie’s independent registered public accounting firm or the advisory vote on the approval of executive
compensation, the shares of AbbVie common stock represented by the proxy will be voted (or not voted) as specified.
Where no choice has been specified, the proxy will be voted FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors and
FOR the approval of executive compensation.
The board of directors is not aware of any other issue which may properly be brought before the meeting. If
other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the accompanying proxy will be voted in accordance with the
judgment of the proxy holders.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
5
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Quorum and Vote Required to Approve Each Item on the Proxy
A majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, represented in person
or by proxy, constitutes a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and
entitled to vote on a matter shall be the act of the stockholders with respect to that matter.
Effect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions
A proxy submitted by an institution such as a broker or bank that holds shares for the account of a beneficial
owner may indicate that all or a portion of the shares represented by that proxy are not being voted with respect to a
particular matter. This could occur, for example, when the broker or bank is not permitted to vote those shares in the
absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock. These ‘‘non-voted shares’’ will be considered shares not
present and, therefore, not entitled to vote on those matters, although these shares may be considered present and
entitled to vote for other purposes. Brokers and banks have discretionary authority to vote shares in the absence of
instructions on matters the New York Stock Exchange considers ‘‘routine,’’ such as the ratification of the appointment of
the auditors. They do not have discretionary authority to vote shares in absence of instructions on ‘‘non-routine’’
matters. The election of directors and the advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation are considered ‘‘non-
routine’’ matters. Non-voted shares will not affect the determination of the outcome of the vote on any matter to be
decided at the meeting. Shares represented by proxies that are present and entitled to vote on a matter but which have
elected to abstain from voting on that matter, other than the election of directors, will have the effect of votes against
that matter.
Inspectors of Election
The inspectors of election and the tabulators of all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify
stockholders are independent and are not AbbVie employees.
Cost of Soliciting Proxies
AbbVie will bear the cost of making solicitations from its stockholders and will reimburse banks and brokerage
firms for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation. Proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone,
Internet, or in person by directors, officers, or employees of AbbVie and its subsidiaries.
AbbVie has retained Georgeson Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies, at an estimated cost of $19,500 plus
reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
AbbVie Savings Plan
Participants in the AbbVie Savings Plan will receive a voting instruction card for their shares of AbbVie common
stock held in the AbbVie Savings Plan Trust. The Trust is administered by both a trustee and an investment committee.
The trustee is Mercer Trust Company. The members of the investment committee are Amarendra Duvvur, William H.S.
Preece and Michael J. Thomas, employees of AbbVie. The voting power with respect to the shares is held by and shared
between the investment committee and the participants. The investment committee must solicit voting instructions from
the participants and follow the voting instructions it receives. The investment committee may use its own discretion with
respect to those shares of AbbVie common stock for which no voting instructions are received.
Corporate Governance Materials
AbbVie’s corporate governance guidelines with the outline of directorship qualifications; director independence
guidelines; code of business conduct; and audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance
committee, and public policy committee charters are all available in the corporate governance section of AbbVie’s
investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.
6
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES
(ITEM 1)
14FEB201503003896
The board of directors consists of three classes with each class currently comprised of three directors. Directors
of one class are elected each year for a term of three years. The Class III directors are presented for re-election to hold
office until the expiration of their term at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected
and qualified or until their earlier death or resignation.
Directors are elected by stockholders if a majority of the votes cast are ‘‘for’’ a director’s re-election at the
Annual Meeting, excluding abstentions and broker non-votes. For more information on the director majority vote
standard, see AbbVie’s By-Laws as listed as an exhibit to AbbVie’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Class III—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2015
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Roxanne S. Austin
President, Austin Investment Advisors
Ms. Austin is president of Austin Investment Advisors, a private investment and consulting firm, a
position she has held since 2004. From July 2009 through July 2010, Ms. Austin also served as the
president and chief executive officer of Move Networks, Inc., a provider of Internet television
services. Ms. Austin previously served as president and chief operating officer of DIRECTV, Inc.
Ms. Austin also previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hughes
Electronics Corporation and as a partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Ms. Austin is also a director of
Abbott Laboratories, Target Corporation, Teledyne Technologies, Inc. and Telefonaktiebolaget LM
Ericsson. Through her extensive management and operating roles, including her financial roles,
Ms. Austin contributes significant oversight and leadership experience, including financial expertise
and knowledge of financial statements, corporate finance and accounting matters.
17JAN201314185859
Committees:
Audit
Compensation
Director since: 2013
Age: 54
15MAR201411192791
Director since: 2013
Age: 61
Richard A. Gonzalez
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, AbbVie Inc.
Mr. Gonzalez is the chairman and chief executive officer of AbbVie. He served as Abbott’s
executive vice president of the pharmaceutical products group from July 2010 to December 2012,
and was responsible for Abbott’s worldwide pharmaceutical business, including commercial
operations, research and development, and manufacturing. He also served as president, Abbott
Ventures Inc., Abbott’s medical technology investment arm, from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Gonzalez
joined Abbott in 1977 and held various management positions before briefly retiring in 2007,
including: Abbott’s president and chief operating officer; president, chief operating officer of
Abbott’s Medical Products Group; senior vice president and president of Abbott’s former Hospital
Products Division (now Hospira, Inc.); vice president and president of Abbott’s Health Systems
Division; and divisional vice president and general manager for Abbott’s Diagnostics Operations in
the United States and Canada. As a result of his service as Abbott’s executive vice president,
Pharmaceutical Products Group since July 2010, his previous service as Abbott’s president and
chief operating officer and his more than 30-year career at Abbott, Mr. Gonzalez has developed
valuable business, management and leadership experience, as well as extensive knowledge of
AbbVie and its global operations. Mr. Gonzalez’s experience and knowledge enable him to
contribute to AbbVie’s board key insights into strategic, management, and operational matters.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
7
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Glenn F. Tilton
17JAN201314185103
Committees:
Compensation
Nominations &
Governance
Director since: 2013
Age: 66
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the UAL Corporation
Mr. Tilton was chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. from 2011 until his retirement
in 2014. From October 2010 to December 2012, Mr. Tilton also served as the non-executive
chairman of the board of United Continental Holdings, Inc. From September 2002 to October
2010, he served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of UAL Corporation, and
chairman and chief executive officer of United Air Lines, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary. Prior to
becoming the vice chairman of Chevron Texaco following the merger of Texaco Inc. and Chevron
Corp., Mr. Tilton enjoyed a 30-year multi-disciplinary career with Texaco Inc., culminating in his
election as chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Tilton is also a director of Abbott Laboratories
and Phillips 66. Mr. Tilton also served on the board of directors of Lincoln National Corporation
from 2002 to 2007, of TXU Corporation from 2005 to 2007, of Corning Incorporated from 2010 to
2012, and of United Continental Holdings, Inc. from 2010 to 2012. As chairman of the Midwest for
JPMorgan Chase & Co. and having previously served as non-executive chairman of the board of
United Continental Holdings, Inc., and chairman, president, and chief executive officer of UAL
Corporation and United Air Lines, vice chairman of Chevron Texaco and as interim chairman of
Dynegy, Inc., Mr. Tilton acquired strong management experience overseeing complex multinational
businesses operating in highly regulated industries, as well as expertise in finance and capital
markets matters.
Class I—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2016
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
William H.L. Burnside
Retired Senior Vice President and Director at The Boston Consulting Group
Mr. Burnside is a retired senior vice president and director at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG),
where he currently serves as an advisor. Prior to becoming managing partner of BCG’s Los Angeles
office in 1987, he worked in BCG’s London and Chicago offices, servicing clients in
telecommunications, media, defense, financial services, and manufacturing. Mr. Burnside is a
director at Executive Service Corps of Southern California and Audubon California. Through his
experience with The Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Burnside acquired knowledge and
understanding of corporate finance and capital markets matters, as well as global and domestic
strategic advisory experience across a broad base of industries.
6FEB201522131611
Committees:
Audit
Nominations &
Governance
Director since: 2013
Age: 63
8
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Edward J. Rapp
Group President for Resource Industries of Caterpillar Inc.
Mr. Rapp was appointed in late 2014 as the Caterpillar Inc. group president for resource
industries. He previously served at Caterpillar as group president based in Singapore in 2013 and
2014 and as the chief financial officer from 2010 to 2013, and he was named a group president in
2007. Mr. Rapp is presently a board member for FM Global and Junior Achievement USA. He is
currently a member of the University of Missouri College of Business Strategic Development Board
and a board member of the U.S.-China Business Council. As a result of his tenure as group
president and chief financial officer at Caterpillar Inc., Mr. Rapp has acquired management,
operational, and financial expertise with extensive global experience and provides the board with
an informed perspective on financial and operational matters faced by a complex international
company.
17JAN201314183678
Committees:
Audit
Public Policy
Director since: 2013
Age: 57
Roy S. Roberts
Retired Group Vice President for North American Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing of General
Motors Corporation
Mr. Roberts was the emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools from 2011 until his
retirement in 2013. Previously, he served as managing director of Reliant Equity Investors from
2000 to 2011. Mr. Roberts retired from General Motors in April 2000. At the time of his
retirement, he was group vice president for North American Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing
of General Motors Corporation, having been elected to that position in October 1998. Mr. Roberts
has served as director on the following boards: Thermon Manufacturing Company 2007-2010,
Enova Systems, Inc., 2008-2011, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, 1991-2010, and Abbott
Laboratories, 1998-2011. As a former executive of a major international corporation, Mr. Roberts
has a strong record of valuable business, leadership, operational, and management experience
which he brings to the board.
17JAN201314194544
Committees:
Nominations &
Governance
Public Policy
Director since: 2013
Age: 75
Class II—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2017
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Robert J. Alpern, M.D.
Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Alpern has served as the Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and
Dean of Yale School of Medicine since June 2004. From July 1998 to June 2004, Dr. Alpern was
the Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Alpern also serves as a
director of Abbott Laboratories and as a director on the Board of Yale—New Haven Hospital. As
the Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of
Medicine, Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and as a director on the
Board of Yale—New Haven Hospital, Dr. Alpern contributes valuable insights to the board through
his medical and scientific expertise and his knowledge of the health care environment and the
scientific nature of AbbVie’s key research and development initiatives.
17JAN201314181230
Committees:
Nominations &
Governance
Public Policy
Director since: 2013
Age: 64
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
9
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Edward M. Liddy
17JAN201314191789
Committees:
Compensation
Public Policy
Director since: 2013
Age: 69
Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC
Mr. Liddy has been a partner in the private equity investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC
since January 2010, having also been a partner at such firm from April to September 2008. From
September 2008 to August 2009, Mr. Liddy was the interim chairman and chief executive officer of
American International Group, Inc. (AIG). He served at AIG at the request of the U.S. Department
of the Treasury. From January 1999 to April 2008, Mr. Liddy served as chairman of the board of
the Allstate Corporation. He served as chief executive officer of Allstate from January 1999 to
December 2006, President from January 1995 to May 2005, and chief operating officer from
August 1994 to January 1999. Mr. Liddy currently serves on the board of directors of Abbott
Laboratories, 3M Company, and The Boeing Company. In addition, Mr. Liddy formerly served on
the board of The Boeing Company from 2007 to 2008. As the chairman and chief executive officer
of Allstate Corporation and American International Group, Inc., Mr. Liddy brings valuable insights
from the perspective of the insurance industry into AbbVie’s business. As a partner of Clayton,
Dubilier & Rice, LLC, Mr. Liddy gained significant knowledge and understanding of finance and
capital markets matters as well as global and domestic strategic advisory experience.
Frederick H. Waddell
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern
Trust Company
Mr. Waddell has served as the chief executive officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The
Northern Trust Company since January 2008 and as chairman of the board since November 2009.
He served as president from February 2006 through September 2011, and as chief operating
officer from February 2006 to January 2008. Mr. Waddell served as a board member of Northern
Trust from February 2006 to November 2009 prior to becoming the chairman of the board. As
chairman and chief executive officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust
Company, Mr. Waddell possesses broad financial services experience with a strong record of
leadership in a highly regulated industry.
17JAN201314192826
Committees:
Audit
Compensation
Director since: 2013
Age: 61
10
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
14FEB201503005232
The Board of Directors
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The board of directors held seventeen meetings in 2014. The average attendance of all incumbent directors at
board and committee meetings in 2014 was ninety-five percent and each director attended at least seventy-five percent
of the total number of board meetings and meetings of the committees on which he or she served. AbbVie encourages
its board members to attend the annual stockholder meeting. All of AbbVie’s directors attended the 2014 annual
stockholder meeting.
The board has determined that each of the following directors is independent in accordance with the New York
Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards: Dr. Alpern, Ms. Austin, Mr. Burnside, Mr. Liddy, Mr. Rapp, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Tilton,
and Mr. Waddell. To determine independence, the board applied the AbbVie Inc. director independence guidelines. The
board also considered whether a director has any other material relationships with AbbVie or its subsidiaries and
concluded that none of these directors had a relationship that impaired the director’s independence. This included
consideration of the fact that some of the directors are officers or serve on boards of companies or entities to which
AbbVie sold products or made contributions or from which AbbVie purchased products and services during the year. This
also included consideration of the fact that some of the directors serve on the board of Abbott Laboratories (Abbott),
AbbVie’s former parent. In making its determination, the board relied on both information provided by the directors and
information developed internally by AbbVie.
The board has risk oversight responsibility for AbbVie and administers this responsibility both directly and with
assistance from its committees.
The board has determined that the current leadership structure, in which the offices of chairman of the board
and chief executive officer are held by one individual and the chair of the nominations and governance committee is
appointed to be the lead director, ensures the appropriate level of oversight, independence, and responsibility is applied
to all board decisions, including risk oversight, and is in the best interests of AbbVie and its stockholders. The lead
independent director is chosen by and from the independent members of the board of directors.
The lead independent director responsibilities include:
1.
2.
facilitates communication with the board and presides over regularly conducted executive sessions of the
independent directors or sessions where the chairman of the board is not present;
reviews and approves matters, such as agenda items, schedule sufficiency, and, where appropriate,
information provided to other board members;
3.
serves as the liaison between the chairman of the board and the independent directors;
4. has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;
5.
if requested by major stockholders, ensures that he or she is available for consultation and direct
communication as needed; and
6. performs such other duties as the board may determine from time to time.
All directors are encouraged to, and in fact do, consult with the chairman on each of the above topics, as well.
The lead director, and each of the other directors, communicates regularly with the chairman of the board and chief
executive officer regarding appropriate agenda topics and other board related matters.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
11
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
AbbVie directors have backgrounds that when combined provide a portfolio of experience and knowledge that
serve AbbVie’s governance and strategic needs. Director nominees are considered on the basis of a range of criteria
including broad-based business knowledge and relationships, prominence and excellent reputations in their primary fields
of endeavor, as well as a global business perspective and commitment to good corporate citizenship. They must have
demonstrated experience and ability that is relevant to the board’s oversight role with respect to AbbVie’s business and
affairs. Each director’s biography includes the particular experience and qualifications that led the board to conclude that
the director should serve on the board. The directors’ biographies are in the section of this proxy statement captioned
‘‘Information Concerning Director Nominees.’’
Committees of the Board of Directors
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The board of directors has five committees established in AbbVie’s By-Laws: the audit committee, compensation
committee, nominations and governance committee, public policy committee, and executive committee. Each of the
members of the audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, and public policy
committee is independent.
Audit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
R. Alpern
R. Austin
7FEB201503212306
W. Burnside
E. Liddy
E. Rapp
R. Roberts
7FEB201503212429
G. Tilton
F. Waddell
7FEB201503211904
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212552
Number of meetings
6
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503211904
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212552
3
Nominations and
Governance
Committee
Public Policy
Committee
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503211904
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503211904
4
4
7FEB201503212429
7FEB201503211904
7FEB201503212552
7FEB201503212306
Lead Director
Chairperson
Member
Financial Expert
Audit Committee
The audit committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in fulfilling
its oversight responsibility with respect to AbbVie’s accounting and financial reporting practices and the audit process,
the quality and integrity of AbbVie’s financial statements, the independent auditors’ qualifications, independence, and
performance, the performance of AbbVie’s internal audit function and internal auditors, certain areas of legal and
regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. Each of the members of the audit committee is financially
literate, as required of audit committee members by the NYSE, and the independence requirements set forth in
Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’). The board of directors has
determined that Ms. Austin, the committee’s chair, is an ‘‘audit committee financial expert.’’
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in
carrying out the board’s responsibilities relating to the compensation of AbbVie’s executive officers and directors. The
compensation committee annually reviews the compensation paid to the directors and gives its recommendations to the
full board regarding both the amount of director compensation that should be paid and the allocation of that
12
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
compensation between equity-based awards and cash. In recommending director compensation, the compensation
committee takes into account director fees paid by companies in AbbVie’s peer groups and reviews any arrangement that
could be viewed as indirect director compensation. The processes and procedures used for the consideration and
determination of executive compensation are described in the ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’’ section of this
proxy statement. The committee also reviews, approves, and administers the incentive compensation plans in which the
AbbVie executive officers participate and all of AbbVie’s equity-based plans. It may delegate the responsibility to
administer and make grants under these plans to management, except to the extent that such delegation would be
inconsistent with applicable law or regulations or with the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The
compensation committee has the sole authority, under its charter, to select, retain and/or terminate independent
advisors who may assist the committee in carrying out its responsibilities. The compensation committee reviews and
discusses with management and its independent compensation advisor potential risks associated with AbbVie’s
compensation policies and practices as discussed in the ‘‘Compensation Risk Assessment’’ section of this proxy
statement. Each member of the committee qualifies as a ‘‘non-employee director’’ for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act and as an ‘‘outside director’’ for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).
Effective April 1, 2014, the committee engaged Compensation Advisory Partners (CAP) as its independent
compensation consultant due to the retirement of the committee’s prior principal compensation consultant from Aon
Hewitt. The independent compensation consultant provides counsel and advice to the committee on executive and non-
employee director compensation matters. CAP, and its principal, report directly to the chair of the committee. The
principal meets regularly, and as needed, with the committee in executive sessions, has direct access to the chair during
and between meetings, and performs no other services for AbbVie or its senior executives. The committee determines
what variables it will instruct CAP to consider, including: peer groups against which performance and pay should be
examined, metrics to be used in incentive plans to assess AbbVie’s performance, competitive short- and long-term
incentive practices in the marketplace, and compensation levels relative to market benchmarks. The committee
negotiates and approves all fees paid to CAP for these services. AbbVie did not engage CAP to perform any other
services during 2014.
Through March 31, 2014, the committee had engaged Aon Hewitt as its independent compensation consultant.
Aon Hewitt, and its principal, reported directly to the chair of the committee and performed duties similar to those
described above for CAP. The principal performed no other services for AbbVie or its senior executives. The committee
instructed Aon Hewitt on the variables to consider, which consisted of the same variables listed above in the description
of CAP’s engagement. The committee negotiated and approved all fees paid to Aon Hewitt for these services. Through
March 31, 2014, the committee authorized payment of approximately $40,000 to Aon Hewitt for services rendered to
the committee relating to executive compensation. Separately, AbbVie management engaged Aon Hewitt to perform
unrelated services and, through March 31, 2014, paid approximately $960,000 for those services, including actuarial
work, pension design and administration, insurance, and general consulting. The committee was informed about these
services, but its formal approval was not requested.
Based on an assessment of internally developed information and information provided by CAP and Aon Hewitt,
respectively, the committee has determined that its independent compensation advisors do not have a conflict of
interest. A copy of the compensation committee report is included in the ‘‘Compensation Committee Report’’ section of
this proxy statement.
Nominations and Governance Committee
The nominations and governance committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board
of directors in identifying individuals qualified to become board members and recommends to the board the nominees
for election as directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders, recommends to the board the persons to be elected
as executive officers of AbbVie, recommends to the board the corporate governance guidelines applicable to AbbVie,
oversees the evaluation of the board and management, and serves in an advisory capacity to the board and the
chairman of the board on matters of organization, management succession plans, major changes in the organizational
structure of AbbVie, and the conduct of board activities. The process used by this committee to identify a nominee to
serve as a member of the board of directors depends on the qualities being sought. From time to time, AbbVie engages
an executive search firm to assist the committee in identifying individuals qualified to be board members. Board
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
13
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
members should have backgrounds that when combined provide a portfolio of experience and knowledge that will serve
AbbVie’s governance and strategic needs. In the process of identifying nominees to serve as a member of the board of
directors, the nominations and governance committee considers the board’s diversity of ethnicity, gender, and geography
and assesses the effectiveness of the process in achieving that diversity. Board candidates will be considered on the basis
of a range of criteria, including broad-based business knowledge and relationships, prominence and excellent reputations
in their primary fields of endeavor, as well as a global business perspective, commitment to good corporate citizenship,
and ability to commit sufficient time and attention to the activities of the board. Directors should have demonstrated
experience and ability that is relevant to the board of directors’ oversight role with respect to AbbVie’s business and
affairs.
Public Policy Committee
The public policy committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in
fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to AbbVie’s public policy, certain areas of legal and regulatory
compliance, and governmental affairs and health care compliance matters that affect AbbVie by discharging the
responsibilities set forth in its charter.
Executive Committee
The executive committee members are Mr. Gonzalez, chair, Ms. Austin, Mr. Liddy, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Tilton.
This committee may exercise all of the authority of the board in the management of AbbVie, except for matters
expressly reserved by law for board action.
Communicating with the Board of Directors
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the board of directors by writing a letter to
the chairman of the board, to the lead director, or to the independent directors c/o AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan
Road, AP34, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, Attention: corporate secretary. The corporate secretary regularly forwards to
the addressee all letters other than mass mailings, advertisements, and other materials not relevant to AbbVie’s business.
In addition, directors regularly receive a log of all correspondence received by the company that is addressed to a
member of the board and may request any correspondence on that log.
14
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2015 Proxy Statement
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
14FEB201503003186
AbbVie employees are not compensated for serving on the board or board committees. AbbVie’s non-employee
directors are compensated for their service under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan and the AbbVie 2013
Incentive Stock Program.
The following table sets forth the non-employee directors’ 2014 compensation.
Fees
Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
$126,000
$142,954
144,000
142,954
132,000
142,954
138,000
142,954
132,000
142,954
138,000
142,954
138,000
142,954
132,000
142,954
Option
Awards
($)(3)
$0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(4)
All Other
Compensation
($)(5)
Total
($)
$4,298
$15,000
$288,252
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,351
290,305
25,000
299,954
0
280,954
25,000
299,954
0
280,954
25,000
25,000
305,954
299,954
Name
R. Alpern
R. Austin
W. Burnside
E. Liddy
E. Rapp
R. Roberts
G. Tilton
F. Waddell
(1) Under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan, non-employee directors earn $10,500 for each month of
service as a director and $1,000 for each month of service as a chair of a board committee, other than the chair of
the audit committee. The chair of the audit committee receives $1,500 for each month of service as a chair of that
committee and the other members of the audit committee receive $500 for each month of service as a committee
member.
Fees earned under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan are, at the director’s election, paid in cash,
delivered in the form of vested non-qualified stock options (based on an independent appraisal of their fair value),
deferred until retirement (as an unfunded AbbVie obligation), or paid currently into an individual grantor trust
established by the director. The distribution of deferred fees and amounts held in a director’s grantor trust
generally commences at the later of when the director reaches age 65 or upon retirement from the board of
directors. The director may elect to have fees deposited in a trust and credited to a stock equivalent account that
earns the same return as if the fees were invested in AbbVie stock or to a guaranteed interest account. If
necessary, AbbVie contributes funds to a director’s trust so that as of year end the stock equivalent account
balance (net of taxes) is not less than seventy-five percent of the market value of the related AbbVie common stock
at year end.
(2) The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. AbbVie determines the
grant date fair value of stock unit awards by multiplying the number of restricted stock units granted by the
average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date.
In addition to the fees described in footnote (1), each non-employee director elected to or serving on the board of
directors at the annual stockholder meeting receives under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program vested
restricted stock units with a value of $143,000 (rounded down). In 2014, this was 2,764 units. The non-employee
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
15
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
directors receive cash payments equal to the dividends paid on the shares covered by the units at the same rate as
other stockholders. Upon termination or retirement from the board, death, or a change in control of the company,
a non-employee director will receive one common share for each restricted stock unit outstanding under the
Incentive Stock Program.
The following AbbVie restricted stock units were outstanding as of December 31, 2014: R. Alpern, 13,858; R. Austin,
21,521; W. Burnside, 5,299; E. Liddy, 9,285; E. Rapp, 5,299; R. Roberts, 5,299; G. Tilton, 17,505; F. Waddell, 5,299.
These numbers include, where applicable, AbbVie restricted stock units issued with respect to Abbott Laboratories
restricted stock units outstanding when AbbVie separated from Abbott on January 1, 2013.
(3) No AbbVie stock options were outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
(4) The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan
during 2014.
(5) Charitable contributions made by AbbVie’s non-employee directors are eligible for a matching contribution (up to
$25,000). For 2014 contributions, the AbbVie Foundation made charitable matching contributions on behalf of the
following AbbVie directors: R. Alpern, $15,000; W. Burnside, $25,000; E. Rapp, $25,000; G. Tilton, $25,000;
F. Waddell, $25,000. This column also includes reimbursement for certain taxes.
16
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP
14FEB201503005075
Securities Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The table below reflects the number of shares of AbbVie common stock beneficially owned as of January 31,
2015, by each director, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and the three other most highly paid
executive officers (NEOs), and by all directors and executive officers of AbbVie as a group. It also reflects the number of
stock equivalent units and restricted stock units held by non-employee directors under the AbbVie Non-Employee
Directors’ Fee Plan.
Name
R. Gonzalez
R. Alpern
R. Austin
W. Burnside
E. Liddy
E. Rapp
R. Roberts
G. Tilton
F. Waddell
C. Alban
W. Chase
L. Schumacher
M. Severino
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)(3)
Stock Options
Exercisable
within 60 days
of January 31, 2015
Stock
Equivalent
Units
386,328
588,663
13,858
28,365
5,299
10,420
7,799
25,299
24,855
7,299
245,580
180,980
272,797
141,625
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
198,287
205,034
394,293
0
0
3,887
0
0
11,963
5,432
0
20,068
0
0
0
0
0
All directors and executive officers as a group(4)
1,546,372
1,550,644
41,350
(1) The table includes shares held in the executive officers’ accounts in the AbbVie Savings Plan as follows: all executive
officers as a group, 1,738. Each executive officer has shared voting power and sole investment power with respect
to the shares held in his or her account.
(2) The table includes 1,650 restricted stock units held by the executive officers as a group. The table also includes
restricted stock units held by the non-employee directors. The directors’ units are payable in stock as described in
footnote (2) to the Director Compensation table.
(3) The table includes shared voting and/or investment power over shares as follows: G. Tilton, 350; C. Alban, 40,442;
W. Chase, 501; and all directors and executive officers as a group, 42,211.
(4) The directors and executive officers as a group together own less than one percent of the outstanding shares of
AbbVie.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
17
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP
Securities Ownership of Principal Stockholders
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The table below reports the number of shares of AbbVie common stock beneficially owned as of December 31,
2014 by BlackRock, Inc., Capital Research Global Investors and The Vanguard Group (directly or through subsidiaries),
respectively, the only persons known to AbbVie to own beneficially more than 5% of AbbVie’s outstanding common
stock. It is based on information contained in Schedules 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
BlackRock, Inc. on February 9, 2015, by Capital Research Global Investors on February 13, 2015, and by The Vanguard
Group on February 10, 2015. BlackRock, Inc. reported that it had sole voting power with respect to 97,202,991 shares,
shared voting power with respect to 18,417 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 114,430,028 shares and
shared dispositive power with respect to 22,987 shares. Capital Research Global Investors reported that it had sole voting
and sole dispositive power with respect to 100,552,589 shares. The Vanguard Group reported that it had sole voting
power with respect to 2,754,958 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 86,236,459 shares and shared dispositive
power with respect to 2,606,938 shares.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Shares Beneficially Owned
Percent of Class
BlackRock, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
Capital Research Global Investors
333 South Hope Street
55th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
The Vanguard Group
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355
114,453,015
7.2%
100,552,589
6.3%
88,843,397
5.57%
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2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
14FEB201503003355
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) describes the pay philosophy established for AbbVie’s named
executive officers (NEOs), the design of our compensation programs, the process used to examine performance in the
context of executive pay decisions, and the performance goals and results for each NEO:
Richard A. Gonzalez
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Michael E. Severino
Executive Vice President, Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer
Carlos Alban
Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations
Laura J. Schumacher
Executive Vice President, Business Development, External Affairs and General Counsel
William J. Chase
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Although we describe our programs in the context of the NEOs, it is important to note that our programs
generally have broad eligibility and therefore in most cases apply to employee populations outside the NEO group as
well.
CD&A Table of Contents
The CD&A is organized as follows:
I. Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Performance Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Components of our Compensation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 Performance Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stockholder Engagement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation Program Governance Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
II. Executive Compensation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commitment to Performance-Based Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Committee Process for Setting Total Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Peer Group Benchmarking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Role of the Compensation Consultant
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation Risk Oversight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
III. Compensation Plan Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Base Salary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-Term Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-Term Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employment Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in Control Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IV. Other Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock Ownership Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clawback Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
20
20
20
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2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
19
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
I.
Executive Summary
Compensation Philosophy
At AbbVie, the board believes a well-designed compensation program should align executive interests with the
drivers of profitable growth and shareholder returns, support achievement of the company’s primary business goals, and
attract and retain world-class executives whose talents and contributions sustain the growth in long-term stockholder
value. Consequently, the board believes the substantial majority of NEO compensation at AbbVie should be performance-
based.
Business Overview
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets advanced therapies for
some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. Our products support the treatment of conditions such as
chronic autoimmune disease (including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease), hepatitis C virus (HCV),
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), endometriosis, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, complications associated with
cystic fibrosis, and other health conditions. Our pipeline includes more than 40 compounds or indications in development
across important medical specialties such as immunology, virology/liver disease, oncology, renal disease, neurological
diseases, and women’s health.
Business Performance Highlights
2014 was a very successful year for AbbVie financially and operationally and in our pipeline development efforts.
AbbVie continued to deliver on our commitment to stockholders in 2014 by growing our sales and earnings and
delivering top quartile returns. The measures set forth below were calculated as of December 31, 2014.
105.7%
2-year total shareholder return since 2013 incep(cid:2)on
28% total shareholder return in 2014
$49BN
Increase in market cap since AbbVie launch
Added significant stockholder value with a market cap over $100 billion
22.5%
Increase in quarterly dividend since AbbVie launch
Raised quarterly dividend to $0.49 per share from $0.40 per share at separa(cid:2)on
7.1%
5.7%
40+
Adjusted opera(cid:2)onal sales growth vs. 2013*
Delivered growth a year ahead of schedule
Adjusted earnings per share growth vs. 2013*
Significantly outperformed original guidance to deliver 2014 adjusted EPS of $3.32/share
Ac(cid:2)ve clinical development programs
Most robust pipeline in company history
*Adjusted sales and adjusted earnings per share are reported and reconciled in our
Form 8-K dated January 30, 2015.
17MAR201515325913
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13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Total shareholder return (TSR) continued to significantly outperform external indices. Since AbbVie became an
independent company at the beginning of 2013, its TSR is 105.7% through the end of 2014, which places AbbVie at the
top of its Health Care Peer Group, and 52 percentage points above the NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals Index and
55.2 percentage points above the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index over the same time period. In 2014 alone, AbbVie’s TSR
was 28%, which places AbbVie in the top quartile of its Health Care Peer Group, and 11.4 and 14.3 percentage points
above the NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals and Standard & Poor’s 500 indices, respectively.
The following graph compares the cumulative total returns of AbbVie, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the
NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals Index. The graph covers the period from January 2, 2013 (the day AbbVie’s common stock
began ‘‘regular-way’’ trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 2014. The graph assumes $100 was invested in the
stock or the index on January 2, 2013 and also assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The stock price performance in
the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
Total Shareholder Return Since Separation
$225
$200
$175
$150
$125
$100
1/2/2013
6/30/2013
12/31/2013
6/30/2014
12/31/2014
AbbVie Inc.
S&P 500 Index
NYSE Arca Pharmaceu(cid:2)cal Index
17MAR201518111135
The company also generated strong operational results during 2014. Net sales were $19.9 billion, up 7.1%
globally, excluding roughly 1.3% negative impact from foreign exchange. AbbVie also exceeded its original EPS guidance
range and raised guidance twice during 2014, which demonstrates the strength of the company’s business, management’s
performance and pipeline advancement.
Adjusted Net Sales
in millions US$
$19,879
$20,000
$19,000
$18,790
$18,000
Adjusted EPS
in US$
$3.32
$3.14
$3.50
$3.00
$2.50
2013
2014
17MAR201518110996
2013
2014
17MAR201518110855
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
21
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In addition to our exceptional financial performance, AbbVie delivered operational efficiencies and improvements
in gross margin. Further, AbbVie continued to execute on our commercial, regulatory and clinical objectives, including
obtaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in December 2014 for our interferon-free HCV program for
genotype one patients.
AbbVie also made significant progress advancing our pipeline, including: the successful completion of several
late-stage clinical trials, including the daclizumab and Humira hidradenitis suppurativa registrational programs; the
initiation of a number of promising Phase 3 programs, including several Phase 3 studies of our PARP-inhibitor, veliparib,
in solid tumors such as breast and lung cancer, and our Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-199, in hematologic malignancies. We also
made significant advancements with our next-generation HCV program, initiating a broad Phase 2b program. We also
advanced a number of early-stage assets into mid-stage development, including our DVD-Ig platform.
Additional Highlights
•
In 2014, AbbVie delivered Humira sales of $12.5 billion, an increase of nearly 19% compared to 2013 on a
constant currency basis. Humira’s performance was driven by market growth across therapeutic categories
and geographies, approval of new indications, and market share gains. Sales growth also was driven by
strong performance from other key brands including Synagis, Synthroid, Creon and Duodopa.
• With a record number of programs currently in mid- and late-stage development spanning large and growing
specialty categories, in 2014 we continued to advance our compelling R&D pipeline. This includes numerous
data and regulatory milestones and phase transitions.
• We further enhanced our pipeline by announcing a strategic collaboration with Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
to develop and commercialize duvelisib (IPI-145) for the treatment of blood cancers, and we entered into a
novel R&D collaboration with Calico Life Sciences LLC, a life sciences company backed by Google Inc., to
discover, develop, and bring to market new therapies for patients with age-related diseases.
Components of our Compensation Program
The compensation committee oversees our executive compensation program, which includes several
compensation elements that have each been tailored to incentivize and reward a specific aspect of company
performance the board believes is central to delivering long-term stockholder value. Key components of our
compensation program are listed below.
Base Salary
Established rela(cid:2)ve to market median based on
each NEO's performance, skills and experience, and
internal equity
Short-Term
Incen(cid:2)ves
Adjusted diluted EPS
Performance Incen(cid:2)ve Plan (PIP)
Based on performance measures such as:
•
• Adjusted net sales
• Adjusted income before taxes
• Adjusted return on assets
•
Strategic and leadership goals
Long-Term
Incen(cid:2)ves
75% Performance-vested restricted stock
• Adjusted return on equity
25% Non-qualified stock op(cid:2)ons
16MAR201518185354
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2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The committee is committed to ensuring that a substantial portion of executive compensation is ‘‘at-risk’’ and
variable. As such, 90% of the CEO’s total direct compensation and, on average, more than 85% of our other NEOs’ total
direct compensation, is variable and directly affected by both the company’s and the NEO’s performance.
2014 Performance Results
The performance targets established under our annual and long-term incentive plans are designed to be
challenging yet achievable, with above target payouts for strong performance and below target payouts (including no
payout) for below target performance. Targets are based on historical peer and company performance, expectations for
our pipeline products, and expected business, market, and regulatory conditions.
Financial Goals
Name
Goal and Expected Result
Richard A. Gonzalez
Michael E. Severino
Carlos Alban
Laura J. Schumacher
William J. Chase
Adjusted Diluted EPS of $3.05
Adjusted Net Sales of $19.0BN
Adjusted Income Before Taxes of $6.3BN
A.
B.
C.
D. Adjusted Return on Assets of 21.9%
A.
B.
A.
B.
C.
A.
B.
A.
B.
Adjusted Diluted EPS of $3.05
Adjusted Net Sales of $19.0BN
Adjusted Diluted EPS of $3.05
Adjusted Net Sales of $19.0BN
Adjusted Income Before Taxes of $6.3BN
Adjusted Diluted EPS of $3.05
Adjusted Net Sales of $19.0BN
Adjusted Diluted EPS of $3.05
Adjusted Net Sales of $19.0BN
Results Achieved
Achieved—$3.32
A.
Achieved—$19.9BN
B.
Achieved—$6.9BN
C.
D. Achieved—26.3%
A.
B.
A.
B.
C.
A.
B.
A.
B.
Achieved—$3.32
Achieved—$19.9BN
Achieved—$3.32
Achieved—$19.9BN
Achieved—$6.9BN
Achieved—$3.32
Achieved—$19.9BN
Achieved—$3.32
Achieved—$19.9BN
Each of our NEOs also has individual performance goals that the committee reviews and ensures are
appropriately rigorous and in line with the long-term success of the company. Each NEO achieved or exceeded his or her
2014 goals, which are listed below:
•
Richard A. Gonzalez: Successfully advance mid- and late-stage pipeline assets; execute key strategic
initiatives to drive top tier, sustainable long-term business performance; deliver strong value to our
stockholders, building investor confidence and credibility; drive exceptional business performance; continue
to drive strong employee engagement and motivation around AbbVie’s mission and future prospects; and
advance our transformation to a biopharmaceutical culture.
• Michael E. Severino: Achieve key research and development milestones per company strategy; and achieve
proprietary pipeline enhancement objectives.
•
•
Carlos Alban: Achieve key product milestones; secure pipeline assets for sourced innovation; advance
existing pipeline assets by achieving key milestones; successfully adapt market strategies to external
considerations.
Laura J. Schumacher: Successfully continue to develop and implement strategies to effectively resolve key
litigation matters; achieve proprietary pharmaceutical pipeline enhancement objectives; execute biologics
strategic development initiatives; and support research and development initiatives per company strategy.
• William J. Chase: Achieve proprietary pharmaceutical pipeline enhancement objectives; and successfully
transition corporate services infrastructure to a standalone model.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
23
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Stockholder Engagement
2014 Say on Pay Results
At our 2014 Annual Meeting, our say on pay proposal received support from 96% of stockholders. The board
and compensation committee are encouraged by the substantial level of stockholder support received for our executive
compensation program. Nevertheless, the company intends to engage proactively with stockholders to ensure that we
continue to understand stockholder feedback and to enable us to take that feedback into consideration for our
compensation decisions. To that end, in early 2015, AbbVie approached and engaged stockholders holding approximately
35% of the company’s outstanding shares. In these discussions, the aggregate feedback was generally supportive of the
compensation program, consistent with the level of stockholder support for our say on pay proposals in the last two
years, and was not prescriptive about our compensation plan design. Going forward, we intend to continue to engage
our stockholders in meaningful discussions about our compensation programs and other key matters of interest to them.
Compensation Program Governance Summary
In addition to strong alignment of pay with the performance of the company and our NEOs, we maintain and
are committed to good governance practices, including the following:
(cid:2) Majority of NEO compensation tied to long-term performance
(cid:2) Short- and long-term incentive programs closely align pay with performance
(cid:2) Robust stock ownership guidelines of 6x salary for CEO, 3x for NEOs, and 4x annual fees for non-employee
directors
(cid:2) NEOs must hold and not sell equity until the minimum stock ownership requirement is satisfied.
(cid:2) Double-trigger requirements for equity acceleration and other benefits in the event of a change in control
(cid:2) No tax gross-ups in executive compensation program
(cid:2) No duplication of performance metrics in short- and long-term incentives
(cid:2) No repricing of stock options without express stockholder approval
(cid:2) No employment contracts
(cid:2) No guaranteed short-term incentives or equity awards, and short-term incentives are capped at 200% of target
(cid:2) Anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies
(cid:2) Independent compensation consultant that performs no other work for the company
(cid:2) Committee has broad discretion to claw back incentive awards in the unlikely event of a restatement of earnings
(cid:2) Proactive stockholder engagement process
II.
Executive Compensation Process
Commitment to Performance-Based Awards
The vast majority of NEO pay is performance-based. Specific goals and targets are the foundation of our pay-for-
performance process, and this section describes how they apply to each pay component. Though quantitative metrics
such as financial and operational results are a central part of our performance assessment, some goals such as
leadership and progress against strategic and long-term objectives are difficult to measure using numeric or formulaic
criteria. As such, the compensation committee also conducts a qualitative assessment of individual performance to
ensure the overall assessment of performance and pay decisions are aligned with the company’s true performance over
a period of time. A discussion of the decision-making criteria for each pay component follows.
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2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Committee Process for Setting Total Compensation
Each February, the committee, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant and AbbVie’s
management team, determines target pay levels for NEOs. The process starts with a consideration of peer compensation
levels and the mix of compensation for comparable executives at peer companies (particularly health care peers), which
are listed below in the section captioned ‘‘Peer Group Benchmarking.’’ After this benchmark review, the committee
establishes NEO compensation relative to the peer median (as derived primarily from the health care peer group
approved by the committee) based on several factors, including company performance and stockholder value creation, as
well as how a particular NEO’s responsibilities and individual performance helped drive those results. Awards are further
differentiated based on each NEO’s contributions to long-term strategic performance.
With respect to long-term incentive awards, the committee considers the extent to which the peer-group NEOs’
pay mix consists of long-term incentives and adjusts based on two primary factors. First, the committee considers the
company’s short- and long-term returns to stockholders and relative performance against financial and/or operating
measures that drive stockholder returns, as well as performance against measurable strategic objectives. Second, the
committee considers each NEO’s performance and relative contribution to the company’s long-term success.
Peer Group Benchmarking
To provide the appropriate context for executive pay decisions for 2014, the committee, in consultation with its
independent compensation consultant, assessed the compensation practices and pay levels of two designated peer
groups. In addition to competing for executive talent, the peer companies also operate complex business operations with
significant global reach. The peer groups used for establishing compensation for 2014 were as follows:
Health Care Peer Group
Amgen, Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Eli Lilly and Company
GlaxoSmithKline plc
Johnson & Johnson
Merck & Company, Inc.
Novartis AG
Pfizer Inc.
High-Performing Peer Group
3M Company
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Caterpillar Inc.
The Coca-Cola Company
Colgate-Palmolive Company
General Dynamics Corporation
General Mills, Inc.
H.J. Heinz Company
Kellogg Company
Kimberly-Clark
McDonald’s Corporation
Merck & Company, Inc.
PepsiCo Inc.
The Procter & Gamble Company
Members of the Health Care Peer Group are AbbVie’s primary competitors for executive talent and are
companies the committee believes chiefly represent our competitive market.
Generally, members of the High-Performing Peer Group have a five-year average return on equity (ROE) of at
least 18% and are similar to AbbVie in size, performance and/or scope of global operations. The committee believes this
ROE metric over a five-year period is a rigorous threshold that correlates well with long-term stockholder value creation.
The committee periodically reviews the company’s peer groups to ensure the companies continue to be
appropriate peers for compensation benchmarking purposes. In 2014, the committee approved the addition of Gilead
Sciences to the Health Care Peer Group. General Dynamics, H.J. Heinz, Merck, and The Procter & Gamble Company were
removed from the High-Performing Peer Group. These updated peer groups will be used to determine compensation in
2015.
2015 Proxy Statement
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25
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Role of the Compensation Consultant
The compensation committee had an engagement with Aon Hewitt through March 2014 to serve as its
independent compensation consultant to provide counsel and advice on executive and non-employee director
compensation matters. Due to the retirement of Aon Hewitt’s principal compensation consultant to the committee, the
committee engaged Compensation Advisory Partners as its independent compensation consultant beginning in April 2014.
The committee’s independent consultant reports directly to the chair of the committee. The consultant meets regularly,
and as needed, with the committee in executive sessions, has direct access to the chair during and between meetings,
and performs no other services for AbbVie or its senior executives. The committee determines what variables it will
instruct its consultant to consider, which include: peer groups against which performance and pay should be examined,
metrics to be used to assess AbbVie’s performance, competitive incentive practices in the marketplace, and
compensation levels relative to market benchmarks.
Compensation Risk Oversight
The company has established, and the compensation committee endorses, several controls to address and
mitigate compensation-related risk, such as employing a diverse set of performance metrics, maintaining robust stock
ownership guidelines for its executives and non-employee directors, and retaining broad discretion to recover incentive
awards in the unlikely event that incentive plan award decisions are based on earnings that are subsequently restated.
The committee identified no material risks in AbbVie’s compensation programs in 2014.
III. Compensation Plan Elements
Three primary components make up AbbVie’s executive pay program: (1) base salary, (2) short-term incentives
and (3) long-term incentives. The structure of each component is tailored to serve a specific function and purpose.
CEO Pay Mix
All Other NEO Average Pay Mix
69%
Long-term
Incen(cid:2)ves
10%
Base Salary
21%
Short-term
Incen(cid:2)ves
61%
Long-term
Incen(cid:2)ves
14%
Base Salary
25%
Short-term
Incen(cid:2)ves
5MAR201520111144
5MAR201520111268
Base Salary
The compensation committee sets appropriate levels of base salary to ensure that AbbVie can attract and retain
a leadership team that will continue to meet our commitments to customers and patients and sustain long-term
profitable growth for our stockholders. Generally, the committee considers the median of the Health Care Peer Group as
an initial benchmark, but also references the High-Performance Peer Group for additional context. Specific pay rates are
then established for each NEO relative to his or her market benchmark based on the NEO’s performance, experience,
unique skills, internal equity with others at AbbVie, and the company’s operating budget. In this sense, base pay is
performance-based as well as aligned with each individual’s relative skills, experience, and contributions to AbbVie’s
overall performance.
Short-Term Incentives
Performance Incentive Plan
Annual cash incentives are paid to NEOs through AbbVie’s Performance Incentive Plan (PIP), which rewards
executives for achieving key financial and non-financial goals that are measured at the company and individual levels.
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13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Annual cash incentives are calculated as follows:
Target Short-Term
Incen(cid:2)ve
Opportunity %
Established using:
• Market-based
peer group
benchmarks
• Internal
calibra(cid:2)on
X
Base Salary
Determined by
reviewing:
• Internal and
market-based
peer group
benchmarks
• Individual
performance
Performance against Annual Goals
(set based on internal and
market peer group expecta(cid:2)ons)
Adjusted Diluted EPS
X
Financial metrics
(e.g., sales, income before taxes, and ROA)
Opera(cid:2)onal / strategic goaIs
(e.g., innova(cid:2)on, pipeline, leadership-oriented goals)
=
Preliminary Incen(cid:2)ve
Award Amount
10FEB201519481475
While the compensation committee relies heavily on objective, quantitative metrics to determine short-term
incentive awards, the performance review also includes a qualitative element to ensure the review is comprehensive and
inclusive of all individual, strategic, and leadership goals whose assessment is not solely dictated by numeric or formulaic
applications. Moreover, while each participant has predetermined goals, the committee also considers relative
achievements and/or developments in the company, the marketplace, and the global economy that could not have been
foreseen when individual goals were established.
Annual Metrics and Goal Assessment
AbbVie’s short-term incentive structure is intended to align NEOs’ interests directly with AbbVie’s annual
operating strategies, financial goals, and leadership behaviors. In doing so, it provides a direct link between the NEOs’
short-term incentives and the company’s and the NEOs’ annual performance results through measurable financial and
operational performance and qualitative assessments of clearly defined strategic progress and leadership behaviors. The
compensation committee approves pre-established goals at the beginning of each year. The qualitative assessment
reflects NEOs’ overall leadership, progress on strategic initiatives, advancement of the pipeline, and enhancement of
AbbVie’s biopharmaceutical culture.
The financial and strategic/leadership goals and their respective weightings are summarized in the chart below.
The specific goals and weightings for each NEO, other than the CEO, are established at the start of each performance
year based on the NEO’s role and anticipated contributions to the company’s annual objectives. The CEO’s goals are
similarly established at the start of each performance year; however, to reflect the CEO’s overall accountability for
company financial performance and strategic outcomes, the committee considers all financial and non-financial goals
holistically, without specific weightings, when evaluating CEO performance.
Financial Goals
EPS
Sales
Margin
Total Tied to Financial Goals
Strategic/Leadership Goals
R&D/Biosimilars
Business Development
Other (including strategic initiatives, etc.)
Total Tied to Strategic/Leadership Goals
% Weighting
20% to 40%
10% to 20%
0% to 40%
40% to 70%
% Weighting
0% to 60%
0% to 20%
0% to 30%
30% to 70%
Assessments of performance against financial results consider the effect of specified adjustments and/or events,
and the appropriateness of these adjustments is reviewed annually by the committee. In 2014, specified adjustments
consisted of other revenue, intangible asset amortization, research and development, acquired in process research and
2015 Proxy Statement
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27
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
development, collaboration and transaction costs, separation costs, and other items, as described in Exhibit 99.1 to
AbbVie’s Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2015.
The PIP is intended to comply with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) for performance-
based compensation.
2014 PIP Awards
Richard A. Gonzalez
Michael E. Severino
Carlos Alban
Laura J. Schumacher
William J. Chase
Long-Term Incentives
Target Bonus
Actual Bonus Paid
Actual Bonus as % of Target
$3,100,000
$ 929,500
$ 935,000
$1,023,000
$1,017,500
$3,500,000
$1,200,000
$1,300,000
$1,490,000
$1,490,000
113%
129%
139%
146%
146%
Performance-Vested Restricted Stock
Performance-vested restricted stock is 75% of the total long-term incentive (LTI) value delivered to NEOs each
year. AbbVie’s performance-vested restricted stock awards (or restricted stock units where required outside the U.S.) are
subject to the following terms, including a challenging performance metric that prevents awards from vesting if pre-
established goals are not met:
•
•
•
•
Term. Each award has a five-year term.
Return on Equity (ROE) Performance Metric. During the term of the award, one-third of the award vests in each
year that AbbVie’s prior year ROE is at least 18%. Unlike performance-based awards that can increase or decrease
relative to a target amount, these are performance-vested awards that cannot be released to the NEO unless the
ROE performance goal is achieved during the term of the award. If the thresholds are met in three of the five years,
100% of the performance-vested shares vest. If the thresholds are missed in all five years, 100% of the performance-
vested shares will be forfeited.
Setting the ROE Performance Target. The compensation committee considers the company’s operating plan, historic
performance, peer-group performance (particularly the High-Performing Peer Group), the company’s pipeline, and
anticipated business and market conditions when setting the ROE target. The committee concluded that the High-
Performing Peer Group five-year average return on equity of 18% is an appropriate target for AbbVie that will
require successful execution of the company’s long-term strategic objectives.
Dividends. These awards receive dividends (or dividend-equivalent payments in the case of restricted stock units)
during the vesting term.
Non-Qualified Stock Options
Stock options are 25% of the total LTI value delivered to NEOs each year. AbbVie’s stock options are subject to
the following terms:
•
•
•
Term. Each option has a ten-year term.
Price. The option exercise price is set at or above fair market value on the date of grant. AbbVie has never granted
discounted stock options.
Vesting. 1/3 of the award vests each year after the date of the grant.
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2015 Proxy Statement
2014 LTI Grants
Richard A. Gonzalez
Michael E. Severino
Carlos Alban
Laura J. Schumacher
William J. Chase
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Stock Options (#)
Performance-vested Restricted Stock Awards (#)
281,030
74,309
81,500
94,140
92,740
162,960
141,625*
47,260
54,590
53,770
* This number includes the award issued to Dr. Severino to replace prior employer stock awards that were forfeited
when he joined AbbVie.
LTI Grant Cycle
AbbVie’s policy with respect to its annual equity award for all eligible employees, including the NEOs, is to grant
the award and set the grant price at the compensation committee’s regularly scheduled February meeting each year.
These meeting dates generally are the third Thursday of February and are scheduled two years in advance. The grant
price is the average of the highest and lowest trading prices of a common share on the date of the grant (rounded up to
the next even penny). The grant price for the 2014 annual grant was $51.42. The high, low and closing prices of an
AbbVie common share on the grant date (February 20, 2014) were $52.11, $50.73, and $51.86, respectively. All LTI
awards are subject to a minimum vesting period of 12 months.
Benefits
Benefits are an important part of retention and capital preservation for all employees, helping to protect against
the impact of unexpected catastrophic loss of health and/or earnings potential, as well as providing a means to save and
accumulate for retirement or other post-employment needs.
Each of the benefits described below supports the company’s objective of providing a market competitive total
rewards program. Individual benefits do not directly affect decisions regarding other benefits or pay components, except
to the extent that all benefits and pay components must, in aggregate, be competitive, as previously discussed.
Retirement Benefits
All eligible U.S. employees, including NEOs, participate in the AbbVie Pension Plan, the company’s qualified
defined benefit plan. NEOs and certain other employees also participate in the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan. These
plans are described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Pension Benefits.’’
The Supplemental Pension Plan is a non-qualified defined benefit plan that cannot be secured in a manner
similar to a qualified plan, for which assets are held in trust, so NEOs receive an annual cash payment equal to the
increase in the present value of their Supplemental Pension Plan benefit. NEOs have the option of depositing the annual
payment into an individually established grantor trust, net of tax withholdings. Deposited amounts may be credited with
the difference between the NEO’s actual annual trust earnings and the rate used to calculate trust funding (currently
8 percent). Amounts deposited in the individual trusts are not tax-deferred and the NEOs personally pay the taxes on
those amounts without gross-ups.
The manner in which the grantor trust assets are to be distributed to an NEO upon retirement from the
company generally follows the distribution method elected by the NEO under the AbbVie Pension Plan. If an NEO (or the
NEO’s spouse, depending on the pension distribution method elected by the NEO under the AbbVie Pension Plan) lives
beyond the actuarial life expectancy age used to determine the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit, and therefore
exhausts the trust balance, the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit will be paid to the NEO (or his or her spouse) by
AbbVie.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Savings Plans
All U.S. employees, including NEOs, are eligible to defer a portion of their annual base salary to the AbbVie
Savings Plan, the company’s qualified defined contribution plan, up to the IRS contribution limits. NEOs also are eligible
to defer up to 18 percent of their base salary, less contributions to the AbbVie Savings Plan, to the AbbVie Supplemental
Savings Plan, which is a non-qualified defined contribution plan. Up to 100 percent of annual bonus awards earned by
the NEOs also are eligible for deferral to the Supplemental Savings Plan. NEOs may defer these amounts to unfunded
book accounts or choose to have the amounts paid in cash on a current basis and deposited into individually established
grantor trusts, net of tax withholdings. These amounts are credited annually with earnings. Amounts deposited in the
individual trusts are not tax-deferred and the NEOs personally pay the taxes on those amounts without gross-ups.
NEOs elect the manner in which the assets held in their grantor trusts will be distributed to them upon
retirement or other separation from the company. These arrangements are described in greater detail in this proxy
statement beginning with the section captioned ‘‘Summary Compensation Table.’’
Financial Planning
NEOs are eligible for a $10,000 annualized benefit associated with estate planning advice, tax preparation and
general financial planning fees. If an NEO chooses to utilize this benefit, fees for such services are paid by the company
and are treated as imputed income to the NEO, who then is responsible for payment of all taxes due on the fees paid by
the company without gross-ups.
Company-Provided Transportation
NEOs are eligible for transportation perquisites that are designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
their work, including the use of a company-leased vehicle and access to company-provided air travel, as appropriate. In
very limited circumstances, these benefits may be used for personal travel, which would then be considered part of the
NEO’s total compensation and treated as taxable income to them under applicable tax laws. The NEOs pay the taxes on
such income without gross-ups.
Disability Benefits
In addition to AbbVie’s standard disability benefits, NEOs are eligible for a monthly long-term disability benefit,
which is described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change in Control.’’
Employment Agreements
AbbVie does not have employment agreements with any of its NEOs.
Change in Control Agreements
AbbVie has entered into change in control agreements with its NEOs to aid in retention and recruitment,
encourage continued attention and dedication to assigned duties during periods involving a possible change in control of
the company, and to protect the earned benefits of the NEOs against potential adverse changes resulting from a change
in control.
The change in control agreements contain a double-trigger feature, meaning that if the NEO’s employment is
terminated other than for cause or permanent disability, or if the NEO elects to terminate employment for good reason,
within two years following a change in control, he or she is entitled to receive certain pay and benefits as described in
the section of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.’’
30
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
IV. Other Matters
Stock Ownership Guidelines
AbbVie’s stock ownership guidelines are designed to further promote sustained stockholder return and to ensure
the company’s senior executives remain focused on both short- and long-term objectives. Each senior executive has five
years from the date of election or appointment to his or her position to achieve the ownership level associated with his
or her position. NEOs are not allowed to sell stock, except for tax withholding at vesting or exercise, if they do not
satisfy the minimum stock ownership requirement. The minimum stock ownership guidelines for the CEO and other NEOs
are as follows:
Executive
Richard A. Gonzalez
Michael E. Severino
Carlos Alban
Laura J. Schumacher
William J. Chase
Stock Ownership Requirement
Requirement Met?
6x Base Salary
3x Base Salary
3x Base Salary
3x Base Salary
3x Base Salary
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
In addition, AbbVie’s non-employee directors are required to own AbbVie stock valued at four times (4x) the
annual fee for service as a director under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan within five years of joining the
Board or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Clawback Policy
While the committee does not anticipate there would ever be circumstances where a restatement of earnings
upon which any incentive plan award decisions were based would occur, the committee, in evaluating such
circumstances, has broad discretion to take all actions necessary to protect the interests of stockholders up to and
including actions to recover such incentive awards.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies
In 2013, AbbVie reiterated its position with respect to hedging and pledging transactions. The company
instituted a formal policy prohibiting directors and officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including all of the
NEOs, from entering into or engaging in the purchase or sale of financial instruments that are designed to hedge or
offset any decrease in the market value of AbbVie equity securities they hold. AbbVie also instituted a formal policy
prohibiting directors and officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including all of the NEOs, from pledging
AbbVie common stock as collateral for a loan.
In addition, the AbbVie Incentive Stock Program provides that no long-term incentive award may be assigned,
alienated, sold or transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as permitted by the
compensation committee for estate planning purposes, and no award and no right under any award may be pledged,
alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered. All members of senior management, including the company’s NEOs and
certain other employees, are required to clear any transaction involving company stock with the General Counsel prior to
entering into such transaction.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Committee Report
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The compensation committee of the board of directors is primarily responsible for reviewing, approving and
overseeing AbbVie’s compensation plans and practices, and works with management and the committee’s independent
compensation consultant to establish AbbVie’s executive compensation philosophy and programs. The committee
reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and recommended to the board of
directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Compensation Committee
E. Liddy, Chairman, R. Austin, G. Tilton, and F. Waddell
Compensation Risk Assessment
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
During 2014, in collaboration with the compensation committee’s independent compensation consultant, AbbVie
conducted an in-depth risk assessment of its compensation policies and practices, including those related to executive
compensation programs for NEOs. The risk assessment included a quantitative and qualitative analysis of AbbVie’s
executive compensation programs and broader employee incentive compensation plans. AbbVie also considered how
these programs compare, from a design perspective, to programs maintained by other companies. Based on this
assessment, it was determined that AbbVie’s executive compensation programs are balanced and appropriately incent
employees, and any risks arising from the compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on AbbVie. The following factors were among those considered in making this determination:
•
•
•
•
•
•
AbbVie’s compensation structure contributes to a corporate culture that encourages our NEOs to regard
AbbVie as a long-term employer. For example, equity awards vest over multi-year periods, which encourages
NEOs to consider the long-term impact of their decisions and align their interests with those of AbbVie’s
stockholders.
AbbVie’s annual incentive program is based on multiple performance measures, balancing earnings
achievement with other factors. Since earnings are a key component of stock price performance, this aspect
of AbbVie’s compensation plan also promotes alignment with stockholder interests.
AbbVie does not include certain pay design features that may have the potential to encourage excessive
risk-taking, such as: over-weighting toward annual incentives, highly leveraged payout curves, unreasonable
thresholds or dramatic changes in payout opportunity at certain performance levels that may encourage
inappropriate short-term business decisions to meet payout thresholds. In addition, effective for 2015, the
committee has placed a limit of 200% of target on any awards made under the NEO short-term incentive
plan.
AbbVie’s long-term incentive program focuses NEOs on longer-term operating performance and stockholder
returns. In 2014, AbbVie’s NEOs received roughly two-thirds of their total direct compensation in the form
of long-term incentives (25% of which are stock options that vest over a multi-year period, and 75% of
which are performance-vested awards that vest over a period of up to five years with not more than one-
third of the award vesting in any one year).
AbbVie makes equity awards and sets grant prices at the same time each year, at the compensation
committee’s regularly scheduled meeting in February. In addition, AbbVie does not award discounted stock
options or immediately vesting equity awards.
AbbVie has robust stock ownership guidelines for its senior executives, which promotes alignment with
stockholder interests, and other good governance equity practices such as anti-hedging and anti-pledging
policies.
32
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
•
•
•
AbbVie’s compensation committee has the ability to exercise downward discretion in determining annual
incentive plan payouts. In 2014, the compensation committee exercised its discretion to deliver annual
incentive plan awards below the maximum amounts allowable according to the plan formula.
AbbVie’s compensation committee has broad discretion to claw back incentive compensation that was
awarded based on financials that were later restated.
AbbVie requires mandatory training on its code of conduct and policies and procedures to educate its
employees on appropriate behaviors and the consequences of taking inappropriate actions.
The risk assessment results were presented to the compensation committee by its independent compensation
consultant.
Summary Compensation Table
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This section contains compensation information for AbbVie’s NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Four of AbbVie’s NEOs were employed by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) prior to AbbVie’s separation from Abbott on
January 1, 2013 (the ‘‘Separation’’), so the information provided for periods prior to January 1, 2013 reflects
compensation earned at Abbott and the design and objectives of Abbott executive compensation programs. All
references in the following tables to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units granted prior to January 1,
2013 relate to awards granted by Abbott in respect of Abbott common shares. Pursuant to the Employee Matters
Agreement dated December 31, 2012 by and between AbbVie and Abbott, these equity awards, other than performance-
vested restricted shares granted to NEOs on December 1, 2012, were converted into awards in respect of AbbVie
common stock and awards in respect of Abbott common shares reflecting the respective post-Separation values of
AbbVie and Abbott. The performance-vested restricted shares granted to NEOs on December 1, 2012 were converted
entirely into performance-vested awards of restricted AbbVie common stock.
The following table summarizes compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to AbbVie’s NEOs in connection
with their service to AbbVie during 2014 and 2013 and, as applicable, to Abbott during 2012. Dr. Severino joined AbbVie
in 2014. The section of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Executive Compensation Process’’ describes in greater detail the
information reported in this table.
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
Option
Awards
($)(2)(3)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(5)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)(4)
All Other
Compensation
($)(6)
Total
($)
$1,595,961
1,500,000
863,942
$0
0
0
$8,379,403
9,246,994
3,341,844
$2,762,525
3,616,574
729,640
$3,500,000
3,300,000
2,500,000
$5,044,809(7)
41,612
64,503
$723,573
471,614
449,288
$22,006,271
18,176,794
7,949,217
503,750
1,000,000(8)
7,710,065
734,916
1,200,000
188,911(7)
205,104
11,542,746
844,461
710,000
615,769
957,577
900,000
831,682
923,711
790,000
398,942
0
0
300,000(9)
0
0
1,100,000(9)
0
0
500,000(9)
2,430,109
2,034,396
2,702,141
2,807,018
2,555,732
4,486,690
2,764,853
2,034,396
2,113,216
801,145
795,752
331,473
925,396
1,035,626
576,809
911,634
795,752
162,079
1,300,000
1,030,000
675,000
1,490,000
1,290,000
1,270,000
1,490,000
1,100,000
500,000
2,297,655(7)
416,924
1,801,009
2,465,919(7)
944,548
1,771,306
1,710,772(7)
315,787
498,991
1,589,491
148,097
104,278
402,095
270,392
156,261
9,262,861
5,135,169
6,529,670
9,048,005
6,996,298
10,192,748
121,925
76,788
45,689
7,922,895
5,112,723
4,218,917
Name and Principal Position
Richard A. Gonzalez
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Michael E. Severino
Executive Vice President,
Research & Development
and Chief Scientific Officer
Carlos Alban
Executive Vice President,
Commercial Operations
Year
2014
2013
2012
2014
2014
2013
2012
Laura J. Schumacher
2014
2013
Executive Vice President,
Business Development, External 2012
Affairs and General Counsel
William J. Chase
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
2014
2013
2012
(1)
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, the amounts in this column represent the
aggregate grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting
Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. AbbVie determines the grant date fair value of stock awards by multiplying
2015 Proxy Statement
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33
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
the number of shares granted by the average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common
stock on the award grant date.
(2)
In accordance with SEC rules, the amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the
awards in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718.
(3) These amounts were determined as of the option grant date using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model.
These amounts are being reported solely for the purpose of comparative disclosure in accordance with the SEC
rules. There is no certainty that the amount determined using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model would
be the value at which employee stock options would be traded for cash. The weighted-average assumptions used to
estimate the grant date fair value of options, along with the weighted-average grant date fair value, are shown
below:
Assumption
Risk-free interest rate
Average life of options (years)
Volatility
Dividend yield
Fair value per stock option
All Other NEOs
Severino
1.91%
6.0
27.01%
3.19%
$9.83
1.94%
6.0
25.44%
3.10%
$9.89
The assumptions for Dr. Severino’s stock options differ from those for the other NEOs because they were granted
on different dates.
(4) The compensation reported in this column for 2014 was earned as a performance-based incentive bonus pursuant
to the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan. Additional information regarding the plan can be found in the section of
this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Executive Compensation Process.’’
(5) Except as provided below, the plan amounts shown below are reported in this column.
The amounts shown beside each NEO’s name are for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, as applicable. The
amounts shown for Dr. Severino are for 2014. Negative amounts under the AbbVie Pension Plan and the AbbVie
Supplemental Pension Plan are excluded from this column in accordance with SEC rules.
AbbVie Pension Plan
R. Gonzalez: $142,324 / $3,002 / $(426,732); M. Severino: $18,610; C. Alban: $189,552 / $(42,843) / $204,199;
L. Schumacher: $166,274 / $33,119 / $129,541; and W. Chase: $148,641 / $(43,043) / $96,217.
AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan
R. Gonzalez: $4,794,683 / $(717,929) / $(4,420,361); M. Severino: $170,007; C. Alban: $1,992,235 / $401,517 /
$1,521,110; L. Schumacher: $2,072,222 / $783,337 / $1,464,372; and W. Chase: $1,500,464 / $336,946 / $378,802.
The changes in pension value result primarily from the following factors: (i) the effect of changes in the actuarial
assumptions AbbVie uses to calculate plan liability for financial reporting purposes; (ii) additional pension benefit
accrual under the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan; and (iii) the impact of the time value of money
on the pension value.
Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plan Earnings
The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan and the
AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan.
R. Gonzalez: $107,802 / $41,612 / $64,503; M. Severino: $294; C. Alban: $115,868 / $58,250 / $75,700;
L. Schumacher: $227,423 / $128,092 / $177,393; and W. Chase: $61,667 / $21,884 / $23,972.
(6) The amounts shown below are reported in this column. The amounts shown beside each NEO’s name are for 2014,
2013, and 2012, respectively, as applicable.
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2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Earnings and Pre-2013 Tax Payments for Non-Qualified Defined Benefit and Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plans
(net of the reportable interest included in footnote (5)).
R. Gonzalez: $94,209 / $73,532 / $154,681; M. Severino: $0; C. Alban: $137,370 / $79,626 / $42,667;
L. Schumacher: $302,097 / $188,374 / $97,801; and W. Chase: $50,968 / $22,474 / $13,526.
Each of the NEOs’ awards under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan is paid in cash to the NEO on a current
basis and may be deposited into a grantor trust established by the NEO, net of maximum tax withholdings. Each of
the NEOs has also established grantor trusts in connection with the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan and the
AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan. These amounts include the earnings (net of the reportable interest included in
footnote (5)) and (for years before 2013) fees and tax payments paid in connection with these grantor trusts.
Employer Contributions to Defined Contribution Plans
R. Gonzalez: $79,798 / $75,000 / $0; M. Severino: $25,188; C. Alban: $42,223 / $35,500 / $30,788; L. Schumacher:
$47,879 / $45,000 / $41,584; and W. Chase: $46,186 / $39,500 / $19,947.
These amounts include AbbVie contributions to the AbbVie Savings Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan.
The Supplemental Savings Plan permits the NEOs to contribute amounts in excess of the annual limit set by the
Internal Revenue Code for employee contributions to 401(k) plans up to the excess of (i) 18 percent of their base
salary over (ii) the amount contributed to AbbVie’s tax-qualified 401(k) plan. AbbVie matches participant
contributions at the rate of 250 percent of the first 2 percent of compensation contributed to the plan. The NEOs
have these amounts paid to them in cash on a current basis and deposited into a grantor trust established by the
NEO, net of maximum tax withholdings.
Other 2014 Compensation
The totals shown in the table include the cost of providing a corporate automobile less the amount reimbursed by
the NEO: R. Gonzalez: $13,680; M. Severino: $7,152; C. Alban: $17,622; L. Schumacher: $15,205; and W. Chase:
$17,216.
The totals shown in the table include the following costs associated with financial planning services: R. Gonzalez:
$10,000; M. Severino: $0; C. Alban: $9,488; L. Schumacher: $7,500; and W. Chase: $7,555.
The totals shown in the table include the following costs for non-business-related air travel: R. Gonzalez: $525,886;
and L. Schumacher: $29,414. AbbVie determines the incremental cost for flights based on the direct cost to AbbVie,
including fuel costs, parking, handling and landing fees, catering, travel fees, and other miscellaneous direct costs.
AbbVie also imputes income to the NEO for these costs and the NEO pays taxes on that income in accordance with
tax regulations.
For Dr. Severino, the total includes $172,764 for relocation costs.
For Mr. Alban, the total includes income tax equalization of $1,382,788 related to stock options he received as
long-term incentive awards in 2007, 2008 and 2009 during his expatriate assignment in France. French law taxes
income on equity awards granted while an employee is working on assignment in France, regardless of the
employee’s home country or location when the awards vest or are exercised, and regardless of whether the
employee pays taxes on such awards in another country. AbbVie provides tax equalization expatriate benefits to all
AbbVie employees who take an international assignment to mitigate differences in tax laws between the employees’
home and assignment countries. During 2013, Mr. Alban exercised the options he received during his expatriate
assignment in France and the resulting French taxes were due in 2014, which triggered the income tax equalization
benefit. Mr. Alban personally paid the U.S. taxes associated with the exercise of the stock options.
The NEOs also are eligible to participate in an executive disability benefit described in the section of this proxy
statement captioned ‘‘Potential Payments upon Termination—Generally.’’
(7) This number includes the change in pension value during 2014, which is attributable to changes in actuarial
assumptions (primarily discount rate and mortality tables) and other factors based on plan design (primarily pay,
service and age).
The present value of a pension benefit is determined, in part, by the discount rate used for accounting purposes.
As required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the discount rate is determined by reference to the
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
35
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
prevailing market rate of interest. In 2014, interest rates declined and the discount rate used for the Pension Plan
and the Supplemental Pension Plan was reduced to reflect that decline. A reduction in the discount rate increases
the present value of participants’ pensions while actual payments to be made to participants are not changed. The
discount rate used for 2014 was 4.45%, and the discount rate used for 2013 was 5.36%. The mortality assumptions
that apply for actuarial purposes also affect pension values. During 2014, the Society of Actuaries released new
mortality tables reflecting longer life expectancies, which are now in use for Pension Plan and Supplemental
Pension Plan accounting. This increase in assumed life expectancy results in an increase in the present value of
participants’ pensions.
In addition to the effect of the changes in actuarial assumptions, other factors built into the plans contributed to
the pension calculations. The change in pension value numbers reflect the application of the benefit formulas under
the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan, which are described in the section of this proxy statement
captioned ‘‘Pension Benefits.’’ As participants’ pay increases and service credit accumulates year over year, the
formulas yield greater pension values. Furthermore, as a participant ages (before he or she is eligible for unreduced
pension benefits), the present value of his or her pension benefits increases, even without changes to actuarial
assumptions.
The effects of the actuarial changes and other factors are summarized in the following table.
Name
R. Gonzalez
M. Severino
C. Alban
L. Schumacher
W. Chase
2014 Change in Pension Value
Attributable to Attributable
to Other
Factors ($)
Changes in Actuarial
Assumptions ($)
$1,193,401
43,227
1,056,243
1,381,330
786,806
$3,743,606
145,390
1,125,544
857,166
862,299
(8) As part of Dr. Severino’s hiring package, this amount was paid to replace a prior employer incentive award.
(9) Bonus paid in recognition of performance related to the separation from Abbott.
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2015 Proxy Statement
2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following table summarizes the AbbVie equity awards granted under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock
Program to the NEOs during 2014.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
Grant
Date
Target Maximum
($)
($)
Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards
Target
(#)(2)(3)
All Other
Option
Awards:
Numbers of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh.)
Closing
Market
Price on
Grant
Date
02/20/14
02/20/14
06/02/14
06/02/14
02/20/14
02/20/14
02/20/14
02/20/14
02/20/14
02/20/14
162,960
141,625
47,260
54,590
53,770
281,030(5)
$51.42
$51.86
74,309(5)
54.44
54.15
81,500(5)
51.42
51.86
94,140(5)
51.42
51.86
92,740(5)
51.42
51.86
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
$8,379,403(4)
2,762,525(6)
7,710,065(4)
734,916(6)
2,430,109(4)
801,145(6)
2,807,018(4)
925,396(6)
2,764,853(4)
911,634(6)
Name
R. Gonzalez
M. Severino
C. Alban
L. Schumacher
W. Chase
(1) During 2014, each of the NEOs participated in the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan. The annual cash incentive
award earned by the NEO in 2014 under the plan is shown in the Summary Compensation Table in the column
captioned ‘‘Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.’’ No future pay-outs will be made with respect to the 2014
awards under the plan. The plan is described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned
‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Plan Elements—Short-Term Incentives.’’
(2) These are performance-vested restricted stock awards that have a five-year term and vest upon AbbVie achieving a
minimum return on equity target, with no more than one-third of the award vesting in any one year. In 2014,
AbbVie reached its minimum return on equity target and one-third of each of the awards granted on February 20,
2014 vested on February 27, 2015. The return on equity targets are described in the section of this proxy
statement captioned ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Plan Elements—Long-Term Incentives.’’
(3) Shares of outstanding restricted stock receive dividends at the same rate as all other stockholders. In the event of a
grantee’s death or disability, these awards are deemed fully earned. Upon a change in control, the treatment of
these awards is determined as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards.’’
(4) The grant date fair value of stock awards is determined by multiplying the number of shares granted by the
average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date.
(5) One-third of the shares of common stock covered by these options are exercisable after one year, two-thirds after
two years, and all after three years. The options vest in the event of the grantee’s death or disability. Upon a
change in control, the treatment of these awards is determined as described in the section of this proxy statement
captioned ‘‘Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards.’’ Under the AbbVie 2013
Incentive Stock Program, these options have an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low market
prices (rounded up to the next even penny) of one share of AbbVie common stock on the date of grant. These
options do not contain a replacement option feature.
(6) The grant date fair value of option awards is determined as of the option grant date using a Black-Scholes stock
option valuation model. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value are described in footnote (3)
to the Summary Compensation Table.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
37
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
2014 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following table summarizes the outstanding AbbVie equity awards held by the NEOs at year end.
Option Awards(1)(2)
Stock Awards(1)
Name
R. Gonzalez
M. Severino
C. Alban
L. Schumacher
W. Chase
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
24.2082
29.2265
35.8800
51.4200
Option
Expiration
Date
02/17/2021
02/16/2022
02/13/2023
02/19/2024
35,767(3)
350,953(3)
281,030(3)
74,309(3)
54.4400
06/01/2024
16,033(3)
77,220(3)
81,500(3)
26,600(3)
97,006(3)
94,140(3)
6,533(3)
77,220(3)
92,740(3)
24.2082
29.2265
35.8800
51.4200
28.8628
28.1251
28.3122
24.2082
29.2265
35.8800
51.4200
27.2940
28.8628
28.1251
28.3122
24.2082
29.2265
35.8800
51.4200
02/17/2021
02/16/2022
02/13/2023
02/19/2024
02/14/2018
02/19/2019
02/18/2020
02/17/2021
02/16/2022
02/13/2023
02/19/2024
02/15/2017
02/14/2018
02/19/2019
02/18/2020
02/17/2021
02/16/2022
02/13/2023
02/19/2024
36,733
71,533
175,477
45,800
32,067
38,610
66,300
38,940
42,533
38,333
53,200
48,504
6,600
25,500
12,800
13,400
19,000
13,067
38,610
Number of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#)
Market
Value of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)
35,521(3)
$2,324,494
59,202(3)
3,874,179
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested (#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested ($)
19,800(3)
171,813(3)
162,960(3)
$1,295,712
11,243,443
10,664,102
141,625(3)
9,267,940
8,900(3)
582,416
37,800(3)
47,260(3)
14,733(3)
47,486(3)
54,590(3)
2,473,632
3,092,694
964,128
3,107,484
3,572,370
44,401(3)
2,905,601
3,633(3)
237,744
37,800(3)
53,770(3)
2,473,632
3,518,709
(1) When AbbVie separated from Abbott on January 1, 2013, outstanding Abbott equity awards generally converted
into adjusted awards based on Abbott common shares and AbbVie common stock (except to the extent prohibited
by local law or with respect to certain awards described below).
Holders of Abbott restricted shares generally retained those awards and received restricted stock of AbbVie in an
amount that reflected the distribution to Abbott shareholders, except for Abbott restricted stock awards granted on
December 1, 2012 that converted in full into AbbVie restricted stock awards as of the Separation, as described in
note (e) to footnote (3) below. Such awards are subject to substantially the same terms, vesting conditions and
other restrictions that applied to the original Abbott awards immediately before the distribution.
Each Abbott stock option was converted into an adjusted Abbott stock option and an AbbVie stock option, with
adjustments to the stock option exercise prices that were intended to preserve the value of the original Abbott
award as measured immediately before and immediately after the distribution. Each such adjusted Abbott stock
option and AbbVie stock option is subject to substantially the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination
exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original Abbott stock option immediately before the
distribution.
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13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
As a result of the Separation, the NEOs held the following Abbott equity awards as of December 31, 2014:
•
•
•
R. Gonzalez: Options to purchase 89,900 Abbott common shares with exercise prices ranging from $22.39 to
$27.03 per share, which vested on February 17, 2015; performance-vested restricted stock awards covering
19,800 Abbott common shares with a market value of $891,396 as of December 31, 2014, which vested on
February 27, 2015.
C. Alban: Options to purchase 48,100 Abbott common shares with an exercise price of $27.03 per share, which
vested on February 17, 2015; performance-vested restricted stock awards covering 8,900 Abbott common
shares with a market value of $400,678 as of December 31, 2014, which vested on February 27, 2015.
L. Schumacher: Options to purchase 265,906 Abbott common shares with exercise prices ranging from $22.39
to $27.03 per share, which vested on February 17, 2015; performance-vested restricted stock awards covering
14,733 Abbott common shares with a market value of $663,280 as of December 31, 2014, which vested on
February 27, 2015.
• W. Chase: Options to purchase 6,533 Abbott common shares with an exercise price of $27.03 per share, which
vested on February 17, 2015; performance-vested restricted stock awards covering 3,633 Abbott common
shares with a market value of $163,558 as of December 31, 2014, which vested on February 27, 2015.
(2) Except as noted, the stock options are fully vested.
(3) The vesting dates of AbbVie unexercisable stock options and unvested restricted stock awards outstanding at
December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Option Awards
Number of
Unexercised
Shares
Remaining
from
Original
Grant
Number of
Option
Shares
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2015
Number of
Option
Shares
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2016
Number of
Option
Shares
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2017
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Stock Awards
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2015
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2016
Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2017
35,767
350,953
281,030
35,767—2/17
175,476—2/14
93,677—2/20
175,477—2/14
93,676—2/20
93,677—2/20
74,309
24,770—6/02
24,769—6/02
24,770—6/02
16,033
77,220
81,500
26,600
97,006
94,140
6,533
77,220
92,740
16,033—2/17
38,610—2/14
27,167—2/20
26,600—2/17
48,503—2/14
31,380—2/20
6,533—2/17
38,610—2/14
30,914—2/20
38,610—2/14
27,166—2/20
27,167—2/20
48,503—2/14
31,380—2/20
31,380—2/20
38,610—2/14
30,913—2/20
30,913—2/20
19,800
171,813
162,960
141,625
8,900
37,800
47,260
35,521
14,733
47,486
54,590
59,202
3,633
37,800
53,770
44,401
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(e)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(e)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(e)
Name
R. Gonzalez
M. Severino
C. Alban
L. Schumacher
W. Chase
(a) These are the shares of performance-vested restricted stock that remained outstanding and unvested on
December 31, 2014, from an award made on February 17, 2012. The award has a 5-year term, with no more
than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon AbbVie achieving a minimum return on
equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2014, AbbVie reached its minimum return on
equity target and these shares vested on February 27, 2015.
(b) These are the shares of performance-vested restricted stock that remained outstanding and unvested on
December 31, 2014, from an award made on February 14, 2013. The award has a 5-year term, with no more
than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon AbbVie achieving a minimum return on
equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2014, AbbVie reached its minimum return on
equity target and one-half of the unvested shares vested on February 27, 2015.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
39
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(c) These are the shares of performance-vested restricted stock that remained outstanding and unvested on
December 31, 2014, from an award made on February 20, 2014. The award has a 5-year term, with no more
than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon AbbVie achieving a minimum return on
equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2014, AbbVie reached its minimum return on
equity target and one-third of the unvested shares vested on February 27, 2015.
(d) These are the shares of performance-vested restricted stock that remained outstanding and unvested on
December 31, 2014, from an award made on June 2, 2014. The award has a 5-year term, with no more than
one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon AbbVie achieving a minimum return on equity
target.
(e) These are the shares of performance-vested restricted stock that remained outstanding and unvested on
December 31, 2014, from an award made on December 1, 2012. These shares will vest after January 1, 2016
subject to continued employment with AbbVie through the vesting date and AbbVie achieving a minimum
return on equity target for the period 2013 through 2015.
2014 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following table summarizes for each NEO the number of shares acquired on the exercise of AbbVie stock
options and the number of shares acquired on the vesting of AbbVie stock awards in 2014:
Name
R. Gonzalez
M. Severino
C. Alban
L. Schumacher
W. Chase
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of
Shares
Acquired On
Exercise (#)
Value
Number of
Shares
Realized On Acquired On
Vesting (#)
Exercise ($)
Value
Realized On
Vesting ($)
0
0
0
$0
0
0
8,928
8,495
67,139
373,159
118,774
$6,046,784
0
38,633
52,110
27,033
0
1,966,806
2,652,920
1,376,250
Pension Benefits
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
During 2014, the NEOs participated in two AbbVie-sponsored defined benefit pension plans: the AbbVie Pension
Plan, a tax-qualified pension plan; and the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan, a non-qualified supplemental pension
plan. The Supplemental Pension Plan also includes a benefit feature AbbVie uses to attract senior executives who are
mid-career hires, which provides an additional benefit to such participants that is less valuable to participants who have
spent most of their career at the company. Except as provided in AbbVie’s change in control agreements, AbbVie does
not have a policy granting extra years of credited service under the plans. The change in control agreements are
described in the section of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.’’
The compensation considered in determining the pensions payable to the NEOs is the compensation shown in
the ‘‘Salary’’ and ‘‘Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation’’ columns of the Summary Compensation Table.
Pension Plan
The Pension Plan covers most AbbVie employees in the United States, age 21 or older, and provides participants
with a life annuity benefit at normal retirement equal to A plus the greater of B or C below.
A.
1.10% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service after 2003.
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13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
B.
1.65% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004 (up to 20); plus
1.50% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004 in excess of 20
(but no more than 15 additional years); less 0.50% of the lesser of 3-year final average earnings (but not
more than the social security wage base in any year) or the social security covered compensation level
multiplied by years of benefit service.
C.
1.10% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004.
The benefit for service prior to 2004 (B or C above) is reduced for the cost of preretirement surviving spouse
benefit protection. The reduction is calculated using formulas based on age and employment status during the period in
which coverage was in effect.
Final average earnings are the average of the employee’s 60 highest-paid consecutive calendar months of
compensation (salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation). The Pension Plan covers earnings up to the limit
imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) and provides for a maximum of 35 years of benefit service.
Participants become fully vested in their pension benefit upon the completion of five years of service. The
benefit is payable on an unreduced basis at age 65. Employees hired after 2003 who terminate employment prior to age
55 with at least 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as
age 55. Employees hired before 2004 who terminate employment prior to age 50 with at least 10 years of service may
choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 50. Employees hired before 2004 who
terminate employment prior to age 50 with fewer than 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on
an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 55.
The Pension Plan offers several optional forms of payment, including certain and life annuities, joint and survivor
annuities, and level income annuities. The benefit paid under any of these options is actuarially equivalent to the life
annuity benefit produced by the formula described above.
Employees who retire from AbbVie prior to their normal retirement age may receive subsidized early retirement
benefits. Employees hired after 2003 are eligible for early retirement at age 55 with 10 years of service. Employees hired
before 2004 are eligible for early retirement at age 50 with 10 years of service or age 55 if the employee’s age plus
years of benefit service total 70 or more. Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Alban and Ms. Schumacher are eligible for early retirement
benefits under the plan.
The subsidized early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service after 2003 (A above)
depend upon the participant’s age at retirement. If the participant retires after reaching age 55, the benefit is reduced
5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62. If the participant retires after reaching age 50
but prior to reaching age 55, the benefit is actuarially reduced from age 65.
The early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service prior to 2004 (B and C above) depend
upon age and service at retirement:
•
•
In general, the 5-year final average earnings portions of the benefit are reduced 3 percent per year for each
year that payments are made before age 62 and the 3-year final average earnings portion of the benefit is
reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62.
Employees who participated in the plan before age 36 may elect ‘‘Special Retirement’’ on the last day of
any month after reaching age 55 with age plus Seniority Service points of at least 94 or ‘‘Early Special
Retirement’’ on the last day of any month after reaching age 55, provided their age plus Seniority Service
points would reach at least 94 before age 65. Seniority Service includes periods of employment prior to
attaining the minimum age required to participate in the plan. If Special Retirement or Early Special
Retirement applies, Seniority Service is used in place of benefit service in the formulas. The 5-year final
average earnings portions of the benefit in B above are reduced 12⁄3 percent for each year between ages 59
and 62 plus 21⁄2 percent for each year between ages 55 and 59. The 3-year final average earnings portion of
2015 Proxy Statement
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62. Benefit C is
payable on an unreduced basis at Special Retirement and is reduced 3 percent per year for each year that
payments are made before age 62, if Early Special Retirement applies.
Supplemental Pension Plan
With the following exceptions, the provisions of the Supplemental Pension Plan are substantially the same as
those of the Pension Plan:
•
•
•
•
•
Participants’ 5-year final average earnings are calculated using the average of the 5 highest years of base
earnings and the 5 highest years of payments under AbbVie’s non-equity incentive plans.
The Pension Plan does not include amounts deferred or payments received under the AbbVie Deferred
Compensation Plan in its calculation of a participant’s final average earnings. To preserve the pension
benefits of Deferred Compensation Plan participants, the Supplemental Pension Plan includes amounts
deferred by a participant under the Deferred Compensation Plan in its calculation of final average earnings.
Beginning in the year following their election or appointment as an officer, AbbVie officers are no longer
eligible to defer compensation under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
In addition to the benefits outlined above for the Pension Plan, the NEOs are eligible for an additional
Supplemental Pension Plan benefit equal to 0.6% of 5-year final average earnings for each year of service
for each of the first 20 years of service occurring after the participant attains age 35. The benefit is further
limited by the maximum percentage allowed under the Pension Plan under that plan’s benefit formulas (A, B
and C above). The portion of this additional benefit attributable to service before 2004 is reduced 3 percent
per year for each year that payments are made before age 60. The portion attributable to service after
2003 is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 60 if the participant
is at least age 55 at early retirement. If the participant is under age 55 at retirement, the portion
attributable to service after 2003 is actuarially reduced from age 65.
The Supplemental Pension Plan provides early retirement benefits similar to those provided under the
Pension Plan. The benefits provided to NEOs under the Supplemental Pension Plan are not, however,
reduced for the period between age 60 and age 62, unless the benefit is being actuarially reduced from
age 65. Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Alban and Ms. Schumacher are eligible for early retirement benefits under the
plan.
Vested benefits accrued under the Supplemental Pension Plan may be funded through a grantor trust
established by the NEO. Consistent with the distribution requirements of Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A and its regulations, those NEOs who became officers prior to 2009 may have the entire
amount of their vested plan benefits funded through a grantor trust. Any NEO who became an officer after
2008 may have only the vested benefits that accrue following the calendar year in which he or she is first
elected as an officer funded through a grantor trust. Vested benefits accrued through December 31, 2008,
to the extent not previously funded, were distributed to the participants’ individual trusts and included in
the participants’ income.
Benefits payable under the Supplemental Pension Plan are offset by the benefits payable from the Pension Plan,
calculated as if benefits under the plans commenced at the same time. The amounts paid to an NEO’s Supplemental
Pension Plan grantor trust to fund plan benefits are actuarially determined. The plan is designed to result in AbbVie
paying the NEO’s Supplemental Pension Plan benefits to the extent assets held in his or her trust are insufficient.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Pension Benefits Table
Name
R. Gonzalez
M. Severino
C. Alban
L. Schumacher
W. Chase
Plan Name
AbbVie Pension Plan
AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan
AbbVie Pension Plan
AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan
AbbVie Pension Plan
AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan
AbbVie Pension Plan
AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan
AbbVie Pension Plan
AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan
Number of
Present
Value of
Years Accumulated
Benefit
($)(1)
Credited
Service (#)
Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
34
34
<1
<1
28
28
24
24
26
26
$456,241
10,435,742
$0
319,807(2)
18,610
170,007
738,968
5,477,406
0
0
0
684,641(2)
639,023
7,372,680
0
2,829,857(2)
472,841
2,794,485
0
212,578(2)
(1) AbbVie calculates these present values using: (i) a 4.45% discount rate, the same discount rate it uses for Financial
Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 715 calculations for financial reporting purposes; and (ii) each plan’s
unreduced retirement age, which is age 62 under the AbbVie Pension Plan and age 60 under the AbbVie
Supplemental Pension Plan for those participants who are eligible for early retirement benefits and which is age 65
under both plans for other participants. The present values shown in the table reflect postretirement mortality,
based on the Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 715 assumption (the RP2014 Healthy Annuitant table
with MP2014 mortality improvement scale), but do not include a factor for preretirement termination, mortality, or
disability.
(2) During 2014, the amounts shown, less applicable tax withholdings, were distributed and deposited into the
individual grantor trusts established by the NEOs and included in the NEOs’ income. Consistent with the distribution
requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and its regulations, vested Supplemental Pension Plan
benefits, to the extent not previously funded, are distributed to the participants’ individual grantor trusts and
included in their income. Amounts held in an NEO’s individual trust are expected to offset AbbVie’s obligations to
him or her under the plan. Grantor trusts are described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement
captioned ‘‘Compensation Plan Elements—Benefits—Retirement Benefits.’’
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following table summarizes Ms. Schumacher’s and Mr. Chase’s non-qualified deferred compensation under
the AbbVie Deferred Compensation Plan. No additional contributions have been made to their accounts under the plan
since such time as Ms. Schumacher and Mr. Chase, respectively, became officers and ceased to be eligible to contribute
to the plan. None of the other NEOs has any non-qualified deferred compensation under the plan.
Name
Plan Name
Executive
contributions
in last FY
($)
Registrant
contributions
in last FY
($)
Aggregate
Aggregate
earnings withdrawals/
distributions
in last FY
($)
($)(3)
L. Schumacher
W. Chase
Deferred Compensation Plan(1)(2)
Deferred Compensation Plan(1)(2)
$0
0
$0
0
$27,927
4,386
$0
0
Aggregate
balance at
last FYE
($)(4)
$383,610
71,181
(1) Ms. Schumacher’s and Mr. Chase’s contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan ceased in 2002 and 2007,
respectively.
(2) The plan permits participants to defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of their annual cash
incentives and credits a participant’s account with an amount equal to the employer matching contributions that
otherwise would have been made for the participant under AbbVie’s tax-qualified defined contribution plan.
Participants may direct the investment of their deferral accounts into one or more of several funds chosen by the
administrator, and the deferral account is credited with investment returns based on the performance of the fund(s)
selected. During 2014, the weighted average rate of return credited to the accounts was 7.8% for Ms. Schumacher
and 6.6% for Mr. Chase.
The plan provides for cash distributions in either a lump sum or installments after separation from service and
permits in-service withdrawals in accordance with specific procedures. Participants make distribution elections each
year that apply to the deferrals to be made in the following calendar year, in accordance with the requirements of
Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Participants may request withdrawals due to financial hardship; if a hardship
withdrawal is approved, it is limited to the amount needed to address the hardship.
(3) The amounts reported in this column are not included in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy
statement.
(4) The amounts reported in this column have not been previously reported as compensation in AbbVie’s Summary
Compensation Tables because they relate to contributions made before the applicable individual became an NEO.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Potential Payments upon Termination—Generally
AbbVie does not have employment agreements with its NEOs.
The following summarizes the payments that the NEOs would have received if their employment had terminated
on December 31, 2014. Earnings would have continued to be paid for the NEO’s Performance Incentive Plan and
Supplemental Savings Plan grantor trusts until the trust assets were fully distributed. The amount of these payments
would depend on the period over which the trust assets were distributed and the trust earnings and fees. If the trust
assets were distributed over a 10-year period and based on current earnings, the NEOs would receive the following
average annual payments over such 10-year period: Mr. Gonzalez, $721,197; Mr. Alban, $388,363; Ms. Schumacher,
$487,603; and Mr. Chase, $460,909. In addition, the following one-time deposits would have been made under the
AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan for each of the following NEOs, respectively: Mr. Gonzalez, $2,232,027; Mr. Alban,
$1,361,973; Ms. Schumacher, $845,411; and Mr. Chase, $534,672. As of December 31, 2014, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Alban and
Ms. Schumacher were eligible to retire, and therefore were eligible to receive the pension benefits described above.
If the termination of employment had been due to disability, then the NEOs also would have received, in
addition to AbbVie’s standard disability benefits, a monthly long-term disability benefit in the amount of $175,000 for
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Mr. Gonzalez; $60,000 for Dr. Severino; $65,000 for Mr. Alban; $74,500 for Ms. Schumacher; and $74,500 for Mr. Chase.
This long-term disability benefit would continue for up to 18 months following termination of employment. It ends if the
NEO retires, recovers, dies or ceases to meet eligibility criteria.
If the NEO’s employment had terminated due to death or disability, his or her unvested stock options and
restricted stock or unit awards would have vested on December 31, 2014 with values as set forth below in the
subsection of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Equity Awards.’’
Potential Payments upon Change in Control
In connection with the Separation from Abbott, AbbVie assumed the change in control agreements between
Abbott and the officers transferring to AbbVie. AbbVie issued a similar change in control agreement to Dr. Severino when
he joined the company in 2014. The agreements with Mr. Gonzalez, Dr. Severino, Mr. Alban, Ms. Schumacher, and
Mr. Chase are described below.
Each change in control agreement continues in effect until December 31, 2016, and can be renewed for
successive two-year terms upon notice prior to the expiration date. If notice of non-renewal is given, the agreement will
expire on the later of the scheduled expiration date and the one-year anniversary of the date of such notice. If no notice
is given, the agreement will expire on the one-year anniversary of the scheduled expiration date. Each agreement also
automatically extends for two years following any change in control (see below) that occurs while the agreement is in
effect.
The agreements provide that if the employee is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability or if
the employee elects to terminate employment for good reason (see below) within two years following a change in
control, he or she is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three times his or her annual salary and annual
incentive (‘‘bonus’’) award (assuming for this purpose that all target performance goals have been achieved or, if higher,
based on the average bonus for the last three years), plus any unpaid bonus owing for any completed performance
period and the pro rata bonus for any current bonus period (based on the highest of the bonus assuming achievement
of target performance, the average bonus for the past three years or, in the case of the unpaid bonus for any completed
performance period, the actual bonus earned). If the employee is terminated other than for cause or permanent
disability or if the employee elects to terminate employment for good reason during a potential change in control (see
below), he or she is entitled to receive a lump sum payment of the annual salary and bonus payments described above,
except that the amount of the bonus to which the employee is entitled will be based on the actual achievement of the
applicable performance goals. If the potential change in control becomes a ‘‘change in control event’’ (within the
meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A), the employee will be entitled to receive the difference between the
bonus amounts the officer received upon termination during the potential change in control and the bonus amounts that
would have been received had such amounts instead been based on the higher of the employee’s target bonus or the
average bonus paid to the employee in the preceding three years.
Bonus payments include payments made under the Performance Incentive Plan. The employee also will receive
up to two years of additional employee benefits (including welfare benefits, outplacement services and tax and financial
counseling) and the value of three more years of pension accruals. If change in control-related payments and benefits
become subject to the excise tax imposed under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, payments under the agreement
will be reduced to prevent application of the excise tax if such a reduction would leave the employee in a better after-
tax position than if the payments were not reduced and the tax applied. The agreements also limit the conduct for
which awards under AbbVie’s incentive stock programs can be terminated and generally permit options to remain
exercisable for the remainder of their term. The compensation committee’s independent compensation consultant has
confirmed that the level of payments provided under the agreements is consistent with current market practice.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
For purposes of the agreements, the term ‘‘change in control’’ includes the following events: any person
becoming the beneficial owner of AbbVie securities representing 20 percent or more of the outstanding voting power
(not including an acquisition directly from AbbVie and its affiliates); a change in the majority of the members of the
board of directors whose appointment was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the incumbent directors; and the
consummation of certain mergers or similar corporate transactions involving AbbVie. A ‘‘potential change in control’’
under the agreements includes, among other things, AbbVie’s entry into an agreement that would result in a change in
control. Finally, the term ‘‘good reason’’ includes: a significant adverse change in the employee’s position, duties, or
authority; the company’s failure to pay the employee’s compensation or a reduction in the employee’s base pay or
benefits; or the relocation of the company’s principal executive offices to a location that is more than 35 miles from the
location of the offices at the time of the change in control.
If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2014, immediately followed by one of the covered
circumstances described above, Mr. Gonzalez, Dr. Severino, Mr. Alban, Ms. Schumacher, and Mr. Chase would have been
entitled to receive the following payments and benefits under the change in control agreements:
• Mr. Gonzalez: cash termination payments—$13,950,000; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—
$8,394,858; welfare and fringe benefits—$72,535.
•
Dr. Severino: cash termination payments—$5,323,500; welfare and fringe benefits—$72,254.
• Mr. Alban: cash termination payments—$5,355,000; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—
$4,242,486; welfare and fringe benefits—$72,842.
• Ms. Schumacher: cash termination payments—$5,057,547; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—
$1,477,581; welfare and fringe benefits—$59,465.
• Mr. Chase: cash termination payments—$5,827,500; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—
$1,055,192; welfare and fringe benefits—$73,123.
The amounts shown for Ms. Schumacher’s cash termination payments and additional supplemental pension plan
benefits reflect reductions of $1,472,453 and $430,183, respectively, which would have applied under cutback provisions
in the agreement as described above.
Equity Awards
Under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program, any outstanding unvested stock options and restricted stock or
unit awards granted prior to February 2013 (including awards converted into adjusted awards based on Abbott common
shares and AbbVie common stock in connection with the Separation) vest upon a change in control, including
performance-vested restricted shares, which are deemed earned in full. This program, which was approved by AbbVie’s
stockholders, covers approximately 6,500 participants, including a broad group of management and professional staff. In
addition, unvested equity awards converted into adjusted awards based on Abbott common shares in connection with
the Separation would vest in full upon a change in control of Abbott.
Beginning with awards granted in February 2013, upon a change in control the surviving company may assume,
convert or replace the awards on an equivalent basis. If the surviving company does not do so, the vesting of the awards
is accelerated. If the surviving company does assume, convert or replace the awards on an equivalent basis, then
accelerated vesting of the awards is limited to circumstances in which, during the period from six months before through
two years after a change in control, the grantee’s employment is terminated without cause or the grantee resigns for
good reason. The terms ‘‘cause’’ and ‘‘good reason’’ have the same definitions as in the change in control agreements.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2014 and the surviving company did not assume, convert
or replace any of the awards granted after January 2013, then the unvested equity awards of the NEOs would have
vested as follows:
• Mr. Gonzalez would have vested in (i) 667,750 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $15,609,336
and 35,767 unvested Abbott stock options with a value of $643,320, and (ii) 354,573 shares of AbbVie
restricted stock with a value of $23,203,257 and 19,800 Abbott restricted shares with a value of $891,396.
•
Dr. Severino would have vested in (i) 74,309 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $817,399, and
(ii) 141,625 shares of AbbVie restricted stock with a value of $9,267,940.
• Mr. Alban would have vested in (i) 174,753 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $4,005,808 and
16,033 unvested Abbott stock options with a value of $288,376, and (ii) 129,481 shares of AbbVie restricted
stock with a value of $8,473,236 and 8,900 Abbott restricted shares with a value of $400,678.
• Ms. Schumacher would have vested in (i) 217,746 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $5,150,621
and 26,600 unvested Abbott stock options with a value of $478,438, and (ii) 176,011 shares of AbbVie
restricted stock with a value of $11,518,161 and 14,733 Abbott restricted shares with a value of $663,280.
• Mr. Chase would have vested in (i) 176,493 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $3,819,398 and
6,533 unvested Abbott stock options with a value of $117,505, and (ii) 139,604 shares of AbbVie restricted
stock with a value of $9,135,686 and 3,633 Abbott restricted shares with a value of $163,558.
The value of stock options shown is based on the excess of the closing price of one share of common stock on
December 31, 2014 over the exercise price of such options, multiplied by the number of unvested stock options held by
the NEO. The value of restricted stock shown is determined by multiplying the number of restricted shares that would
vest as of December 31, 2014 and the closing price of one share of common stock on December 31, 2014.
2015 Proxy Statement
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47
RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS ABBVIE’S
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(ITEM 2)
14FEB201503004764
AbbVie’s audit committee charter provides that the audit committee shall appoint annually AbbVie’s independent
registered public accounting firm. On October 9, 2014, the audit committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP to perform
independent audit services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.
Although the audit committee has sole authority to appoint the independent registered public accounting firm, it
would like to know the opinion of the stockholders regarding its appointment of Ernst & Young LLP for 2015. For this
reason, stockholders are being asked to ratify this appointment. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP for 2015, the audit committee will take that fact into consideration, but may, nevertheless, continue
to retain Ernst & Young LLP.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The board of directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as
AbbVie’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2015.
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AUDIT INFORMATION
14FEB201503002998
Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered to AbbVie by Ernst & Young LLP for
the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and fees for other services rendered to AbbVie by Ernst &
Young LLP for that period.
Audit fees:(1)
Audit related fees:(2)
Tax fees:(3)
All other fees:(4)
Total
2014
(millions)
2013
(millions)
$10.0
0.2
5.1
0.5
$8.1
0.0
4.9
0.8
$15.8
$13.8
(1) Ernst & Young LLP billed or will bill AbbVie for professional services rendered for the audit of AbbVie’s annual
financial statements, the audits of AbbVie’s internal control over financial reporting, statutory and subsidiary audits,
the review of documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and certain accounting consultations
in connection with the audits.
(2) Audit related fees include: accounting consultations, agreed upon procedures and audits of certain employee
benefit plan financial statements.
(3) Tax fees consist principally of professional services for corporate tax compliance, expatriate tax compliance and tax
advisory services.
(4) Other fees represent Independent Review Organization services.
As previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2013 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, on December 14, 2012 AbbVie’s audit committee approved (a) the dismissal of Deloitte & Touche
LLP, effective as of the date of Deloitte’s completion of the audit services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
and the filing of AbbVie’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and (b) the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the
company’s independent registered public accounting firm to perform independent audit services beginning with the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2013.
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The audit committee has established policies and procedures to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit
services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and its related affiliates.
Prior to engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year’s audit, management
will submit a schedule of all proposed services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of
services to the audit committee for approval.
Prior to engagement, the audit committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are
budgeted and the audit committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to
report actual fees versus the budget periodically by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it
may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not
contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the audit committee requires specific pre-approval before
engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.
2015 Proxy Statement
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AUDIT INFORMATION
The audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to
whom such authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled
meeting.
Audit Committee Report
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of AbbVie’s consolidated financial statements. The
independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an audit of the consolidated financial
statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The audit committee reviews these processes on behalf of the board
of directors. In this context, the audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained
in the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K with AbbVie’s management and its independent registered public accounting
firm.
The audit committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required
to be discussed pursuant to Auditing Standards Section AU 380 (Communication with Audit Committees), as amended, as
adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
The audit committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public
accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the
independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and
has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm’s independence. The audit committee has
also considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the
independent registered public accounting firm.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the board of
directors that the audited financial statements be included in AbbVie’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Audit Committee
R. Austin, Chair, W. Burnside, E. Rapp, and F. Waddell
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SAY ON PAY—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (ITEM 3)
14FEB201503004916
Stockholders are being asked to approve the compensation of AbbVie’s named executive officers, as disclosed
under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation
tables and related material included in this proxy statement.
The independent compensation committee of the board of directors, with the counsel of its independent
compensation consultant, has thoroughly examined AbbVie’s programs, the company’s performance related to our
industry and high-performing peer group, and market factors. The committee has determined that the specific pay
decisions for the named executive officers are appropriate given the company’s performance, the executives’
contributions, and our stockholders’ interests.
While this vote is advisory and non-binding, the board of directors and the compensation committee value the
opinion of the stockholders and will review the voting results and take them into account when future compensation
decisions are made.
Accordingly, the board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the named executive
officers’ compensation.
2015 Proxy Statement
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51
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
14FEB201503002751
Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
It is AbbVie’s policy that the nominations and governance committee review, approve, ratify or disapprove of all
transactions in which AbbVie participates and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest if
such transaction involves or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate per fiscal year.
Related person transactions requiring review by the nominations and governance committee pursuant to this policy are
identified in:
•
•
•
questionnaires annually distributed to AbbVie’s directors and executive officers;
certifications submitted annually by AbbVie executive officers related to their compliance with AbbVie’s Code
of Business Conduct; or
communications made directly by the related person to the chief financial officer or general counsel.
In determining whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the nominations and governance
committee will consider the following items, among others:
•
•
•
•
•
the related person’s relationship to AbbVie and interest in the transaction;
the material facts of the transaction, including the aggregate value of such transaction or, in the case of
indebtedness, the amount of principal involved;
the benefits to AbbVie of the transaction;
if applicable, the availability of other sources of comparable products or services;
an assessment of whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to an
unrelated third party or to employees generally;
• whether a transaction has the potential to impair director independence; and
• whether the transaction constitutes a conflict of interest.
This process is included in the nominations and governance committee’s written charter, which is available on
the corporate governance section of AbbVie’s investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
AbbVie believes that during 2014 its executive officers and directors timely complied with all filing requirements
under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a Form 4 for Mr. Liddy reporting five exempt
grants of stock equivalent units was not timely filed.
Performance-Based Compensation Arrangements
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The Performance Incentive Plan and the Incentive Stock Program, which are described above, are intended to
comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) to ensure deductibility of performance-based compensation.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The compensation committee reserves the flexibility to take actions that may be based on considerations in
addition to tax deductibility. The committee believes that stockholder interests are best served by not restricting the
committee’s discretion and flexibility in crafting compensation programs, even if such programs may result in certain non-
deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, the committee may from time to time approve components of
compensation for certain executive officers that are not deductible.
While the compensation committee does not anticipate there would ever be circumstances where a restatement
of earnings upon which any incentive plan award decisions were based would occur, the committee, in evaluating such
circumstances, has discretion to take all actions necessary to protect the interests of stockholders up to and including
actions to recover such incentive awards.
Exclusive Forum
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
AbbVie is incorporated in the state of Delaware and Delaware law governs the relationship among its directors,
officers, and stockholders (also known as the internal affairs doctrine). To provide for the orderly, efficient and cost-
effective resolution of Delaware-law issues affecting AbbVie, the company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that
unless the board of directors otherwise determines, Delaware courts are the exclusive forum for cases involving the
internal affairs doctrine, derivative actions brought on behalf of the company, claims for breach of fiduciary duty, and
other matters concerning Delaware statutory and common law. The provision does not apply to any other cases brought
against AbbVie.
Other Matters
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The board of directors knows of no other business to be transacted at the 2015 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, but if any other matters do come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying proxy to vote or act with respect to them in accordance with their best judgment.
Date for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for the 2016 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Stockholder proposals for presentation at the 2016 Annual Meeting must be received by AbbVie no later than
November 24, 2015 and must otherwise comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy for the 2016 meeting.
Procedure for Recommendation and Nomination of Directors and Transaction of Business at Annual
Meeting
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
A stockholder may recommend persons as potential nominees for director by submitting the names of such
persons in writing to the secretary of AbbVie. Recommendations must be accompanied by certain information about
both the nominee and the stockholder making the nomination, as set forth in AbbVie’s Amended and Restated By-Laws.
A nominee who is recommended by a stockholder following these procedures will receive the same consideration as
other comparably qualified nominees.
A stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at an Annual Meeting and who is a stockholder of
record on:
•
•
•
the record date for that Annual Meeting,
the date of this proxy statement, and
the date of the Annual Meeting
may nominate persons for director, or make proposals of other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting, by
providing proper timely written notice to the secretary of AbbVie.
2015 Proxy Statement
13NOV201221352027
53
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
That notice must include certain information required by Article II of AbbVie’s Amended and Restated By-Laws,
including information about the stockholder, any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is being
made, their respective affiliates or associates or others acting on concert with them, and any proposed director nominee.
For each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting, the notice must also include a
brief description of the business to be discussed, the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, any
material interest of the stockholder in such business and certain other information specified in the By-Laws. In addition,
in the case of a director nomination, the notice must include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and
agreement of the nominee addressing matters specified in the By-Laws.
To be timely, written notice either to directly nominate persons for director or to bring business properly before
the Annual Meeting must be received at AbbVie’s principal executive offices not less than ninety days and not more than
one hundred twenty days prior to the anniversary date of the preceding Annual Meeting. If the Annual Meeting is called
for a date that is more than thirty days before or sixty days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must
be received not less than ninety days and not more than one hundred twenty days prior to the date of such Annual
Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of ninety days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting,
or, if the first public announcement of the date of such Annual Meeting is less than one hundred days prior to the date
of such Annual Meeting, the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is
first made by AbbVie. To be timely for the 2016 Annual Meeting, this written notice must be received by AbbVie no later
than February 8, 2016.
In addition, the notice must be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or
required to be provided is true and correct as of the record date for the Annual Meeting and as of the date that is ten
business days prior to the meeting. Any such update or supplement must be delivered to the secretary of AbbVie at
AbbVie’s principal executive offices not more than five business days after the record date for the Annual Meeting, and
not less than eight business days before the date of the Annual Meeting in the case of any update or supplement
required to be made as of ten business days prior to the Annual Meeting.
Householding of Proxy Materials
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as
brokers or banks) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more security holders
sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice or proxy statement addressed to those security holders. This
process, which is commonly referred to as ‘‘householding,’’ potentially provides extra convenience for security holders
and cost savings for companies.
Several brokers and banks with accountholders who are AbbVie stockholders will be ‘‘householding’’ our proxy
materials. As indicated in the notice provided by these brokers to AbbVie stockholders, a single proxy statement will be
delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from an affected
stockholder. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be ‘‘householding’’ communications to your
address, ‘‘householding’’ will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time,
you no longer wish to participate in ‘‘householding’’ and you prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify
your broker or contact Broadridge Financial Solutions 1-800-542-1061, email: sendmaterials@proxyvote.com, or write to
us at Investor Relations, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. Stockholders who currently
receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request ‘‘householding’’ of their
communications should contact their broker or bank.
54
13NOV201221352027
2015 Proxy Statement
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
General
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Stockholders are urged to vote, regardless of the number of
shares of AbbVie common stock owned. Stockholders may vote by telephone, by Internet, or by mail if a printed version
of the proxy card was received or requested. Stockholders who vote by telephone or the Internet do not need to return
a proxy card.
The Annual Meeting will be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago,
Illinois 60601. Admission to the meeting will be by admission card only. A stockholder planning to attend the meeting
should promptly complete and return the reservation form. Reservation forms must be received before May 1, 2015. An
admission card admits only one person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be
accompanied by a stockholder.
By order of the board of directors.
LAURA J. SCHUMACHER
SECRETARY
2015 Proxy Statement
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13NOV201221352027
AbbVie Inc.
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064 U.S.A.
Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement
Meeting Date
May 8, 2015
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Please sign and promptly return your proxy
in the enclosed envelope or vote your
shares by telephone or using the Internet.
Reservation Form for Annual Meeting
I am a stockholder of AbbVie Inc. and I plan to attend the Annual Meeting to be held at the Fairmont Chicago,
Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 at 9:00 a.m. CT on May 8, 2015.
Please send me an admission card for each of the following persons.
Name
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Name
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Phone Number (
)
Phone Number (
)
If you plan to attend the meeting, please complete the Reservation Form and send it to AbbVie Inc., Annual Meeting
Ticket Requests, AP34, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. Due to space limitations, Reservation
Forms must be received before May 1, 2015. An admission card, along with a form of photo identification, admits one
person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.
To prevent a delay in the receipt of your admission card, do not return this form with your proxy card or mail it in
the enclosed business envelope.
Printed on Recyclable Paper
about abbvie
AbbVie is a global, research-based
biopharmaceutical company formed
in 2013 following separation from
Abbott Laboratories. The company’s
mission is to use its expertise, dedicated
people and unique approach to innovation
to develop and market advanced therapies
that address some of the world’s most
complex and serious diseases. AbbVie
employs more than 26,000 people
worldwide and markets medicines in more
than 170 countries.
For further information on the company
and its people, portfolio and commitments,
please visit www.abbvie.com.
stockholder information
AbbVie Inc. Corporate Headquarters
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
847.932.7900
abbvie.com
Investor Relations
Dept. ZZ05, AP34
Corporate Secretary
Dept. V364, AP34
Stock Listing
The ticker for AbbVie’s common stock
is ABBV. The principal market for AbbVie
common stock is the NYSE. AbbVie
common stock is also listed on the Chicago
Stock Exchange, the NYSE Euronext Paris,
and the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will be held on
Friday, May 8, 2015, at 9 a.m. at
the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park,
200 North Columbus Drive,
Chicago, IL 60601.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The AbbVie Dividend Reinvestment
Plan offers registered stockholders
an opportunity to purchase additional
shares, commission-free, through
automatic dividend reinvestment
and/or optional cash investments.
Interested persons may contact the
transfer agent.
Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Co. NA
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
877.881.5970 (toll free)
732.645.4123
www.computershare.com
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2014 annual report
on form 10-k
2015 notice of
annual meeting and
proxy statement
AbbVie
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, IL 60064 U.S.A.
abbvie.com
Copyright© 2015 AbbVie. All rights reserved.
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