<sod>On October 19, 2011, [[Abbott Laboratories]] announced its plan to separate into two publicly traded companies. The "new" Abbott Laboratories would specialize in diversified products including medical devices, diagnostic equipment and nutrition products, while AbbVie would operate as a research-based pharmaceutical manufacturer.<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite web |url=http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/abbott-to-split-into-two/?_r=0 |title=Abbott Labs to Split Into 2 Companies |publisher=The New York Times |date=October 19, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref> The separation was effective January 1, 2013, and AbbVie was officially listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (ABBV) on January 2, 2013.<ref name="AbbVie Press Release">{{cite web |url=http://abbvie.mediaroom.com/2013-01-02-AbbVie-Celebrates-Launch-as-New-Biopharmaceutical-Company-with-Employees-Patients |title=Abbott Completes Separation of Research-Based Pharmaceuticals Business |publisher=AbbVie Inc. |date=January 2, 2013 |accessdate=January 2, 2013}}</ref> As of December 2015, the company employed in excess of 28,000 globally, and provided products to individuals in more than 170 countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abbvie.com/about-us/home.html|title=AbbVie - About Us|author=|date=|work=abbvie.com|accessdate=1 January 2016}}</ref><eod>
<sod>On October 19, 2011, [[Abbott Laboratories]] announced its plan to separate into two publicly traded companies. The "new" Abbott Laboratories would specialize in diversified products including medical devices, diagnostic equipment and nutrition products, while AbbVie would operate as a research-based pharmaceutical manufacturer.<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite web |url=http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/abbott-to-split-into-two/?_r=0 |title=Abbott Labs to Split Into 2 Companies |publisher=The New York Times |date=October 19, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref> The separation was effective January 1, 2013, and AbbVie was officially listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (ABBV) on January 2, 2013.<ref name="AbbVie Press Release">{{cite web |url=http://abbvie.mediaroom.com/2013-01-02-AbbVie-Celebrates-Launch-as-New-Biopharmaceutical-Company-with-Employees-Patients |title=Abbott Completes Separation of Research-Based Pharmaceuticals Business |publisher=AbbVie Inc. |date=January 2, 2013 |accessdate=January 2, 2013}}</ref> <eod>