Replies to post #183093 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

ABT acquires AF-diagnostics company for $250M + contingencies:

http://abbott.mediaroom.com/2014-10-29-Abbott-Expands-Its-Medical-Device-Business-with-Acquisition-in-Catheter-Based-Electrophysiology-Market

Abbott today announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Topera, Inc., a private, venture-backed medical device company focused on developing innovative electrophysiology technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation, one of the most common heart rhythm disorders in the world. Through this acquisition, Abbott enters the catheter-based electrophysiology market, an approximately $3 billion global market that has been growing annually at double-digit rates.

Topera, Inc. has developed a novel diagnostic catheter and mapping software, or rotor identification system, which help physicians identify and target the specific areas of a person's heart that are perpetuating atrial fibrillation. Under the terms of the acquisition, Abbott will acquire all outstanding equity of Topera for $250 million upfront, plus potential future payments tied to performance milestones.

[DewDiligence]

ABT’s CEO, Miles White, exercised and sold $18.7M worth of stock on Wednesday and Thursday (following ABT’s 3Q14 earnings release); the options were due to expire in Feb 2015:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1800/000117911014015890/xslF345X03/edgar.xml

[DewDiligence]

ABT increases dividend for 43rd(!) consecutive year—the increase is 9% to an annualized payout of $0.96/sh:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-announces-increase-quarterly-dividend-161800691.html

At the current share price, ABT’s dividend yields 2.2%.