Abbott was established in the UK in 1937 at Perivale, west London. The company became a key supplier of anaesthetic products to the allied forces during the Second World War.

Today Abbott employs around 2,000 staff in the UK at three main locations in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Kent and across nine businesses.

UK Milestones

2007	Abbott celebrates 70 years in the UK Humira (adalimumab) secures additional licence for use in Crohn’s disease
2006	Humira secures additional licence for use in ankylosing spondylitis Launch of the FreeStyle Freedom – blood glucose meter Abbott acquires Kos Pharmaceuticals and the Guidant vascular business

2005	Abbott opens new facility in Dartford Introduction of Zemplar IV (paricalcitol injection) – a renal care product Humira secures additional licence for use in psoriatic arthritis
2004	Abbott acquires TheraSense (a diabetes management technology company) & I-Stat (point-of-care testing) Launch of Optium Xceed – blood glucose meter
2003	Introduction of Humira – a rheumatoid arthritis product
2001	Introduction of Reductil (sibutramine) – an anti-obesity product Introduction of Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) – an HIV product Introduction of Chirocaine (levobupivacaine) – a regional anaesthetic Abbott acquires Knoll Pharmaceuticals from BASF
1998	Introduction of Synagis (palivizumab) – a neonatology product Abbott acquires Murex (medical diagnostic testing)
1996	Introduction of Norvir (ritonavir) – an HIV product Abbott acquires MediSense (manufacturer of blood glucose monitoring devices)
1995	Introduction of Sevoflurane – an anaesthesia product
1993	Introduction of Survanta (beractant) – a neonatology product
1991	Introduction of Klaricid (clarithromycin) – an antibiotic
1987	Head Office moves to Maidenhead
1978	Introduction of Isoflurane – an anaesthetic product Diagnostics division established in the UK
1952	Introduction of Erythrocin (erythromycin sterarate) – an anti-infective product
1937	Abbott established at Perivale

For more Abbott history, click here.