AbbVie 10-K 2023-12-31
Filed 2024-02-20. 24 sections, 551K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| (MARK ONE) | ||||||||
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-35565

AbbVie Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 32-0375147 | |||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. employer identification number) |
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064-6400
(847) 932-7900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number of principal executive offices)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||||||||
| Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | ABBV | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| Chicago Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||||
| 1.375% Senior Notes due 2024 | ABBV24 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| 1.250% Senior Notes due 2024 | ABBV24B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| 0.750% Senior Notes due 2027 | ABBV27 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| 2.125% Senior Notes due 2028 | ABBV28 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| 2.625% Senior Notes due 2028 | ABBV28B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| 2.125% Senior Notes due 2029 | ABBV29 | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| 1.250% Senior Notes due 2031 | ABBV31 | New York 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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ☐ No ☒
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
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 | ☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | ||||||||
| Non-Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by checkmark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the 1,748,902,939 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, 2023), was $235,629,692,915. AbbVie has no non-voting common equity.
Number of common shares outstanding as of January 31, 2024: 1,766,473,359
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the 2024 AbbVie Inc. Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference into Part III. The Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 18, 2024.
ABBVIE INC.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS
Overview
AbbVie or "the company" refer to AbbVie Inc., or AbbVie Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires. AbbVie is a global, diversified research-based biopharmaceutical company positioned for success with a comprehensive product portfolio that has leadership positions across immunology, oncology, aesthetics, neuroscience and eye care. AbbVie uses 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 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% of the outstanding common stock of AbbVie to Abbott's shareholders.
Segments
AbbVie operates as a single global business segment dedicated to the research and development, manufacturing, commercialization and sale of innovative medicines and therapies. This operating structure enables the Chief Executive Officer, as chief operating decision maker (CODM), to allocate resources and assess business performance on a global basis in order to achieve established long-term strategic goals. Consistent with this structure, a global research and development and supply chain organization is responsible for the discovery, development, manufacturing and supply of products. Commercial efforts that coordinate the marketing, sales and distribution of these products are organized by geographic region or therapeutic area. All of these activities are supported by a global corporate administrative staff. The determination of a single business segment is consistent with the consolidated financial information regularly reviewed by the CODM for purposes of assessing performance, allocating resources and planning and forecasting future periods. See Note 16, "Segment and Geographic Area Information" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" and the sales information related to AbbVie's key products and geographies included under Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 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.
Immunology products. AbbVie maintains an extensive immunology portfolio across rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology. AbbVie's immunology products address unmet needs for patients with autoimmune diseases. These products are:
Humira. Humira (adalimumab) 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 | Principal Markets | |||||||
| Rheumatoid arthritis (moderate to severe) | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Psoriatic arthritis | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Ankylosing spondylitis | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Adult Crohn's disease (moderate to severe) | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Plaque psoriasis (moderate to severe chronic) | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (moderate to severe polyarticular) | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Ulcerative colitis (moderate to severe) | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Axial spondyloarthropathy | European Union | |||||||
| Pediatric Crohn's disease (moderate to severe) | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Hidradenitis suppurativa (moderate to severe) | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Pediatric enthesitis-related arthritis | European Union | |||||||
| Non-infectious intermediate, posterior and panuveitis | North America, European Union | |||||||
| Pediatric ulcerative colitis (moderate to severe) | U.S., Canada, European Union | |||||||
| Pediatric uveitis | North America, European Union |
| 1 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
Humira is also approved in Japan for the treatment of intestinal Behçet's disease and pyoderma gangrenosum.
Humira is sold in numerous other markets worldwide, including Japan, China, Brazil and Australia, and accounted for approximately 27% of AbbVie's total net revenues in 2023.
Skyrizi. Skyrizi (risankizumab) is an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its p19 subunit. It is a biologic therapy approved to treat the following autoimmune diseases in North America, the European Union and Japan:
| Condition | Principal Markets | |||||||
| Plaque psoriasis (moderate to severe) | North America, European Union, Japan | |||||||
| Psoriatic arthritis | U.S., European Union | |||||||
| Crohn's disease (moderate to severe) | U.S., Canada, European Union |
Skyrizi is also approved in Japan for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, erythrodermic psoriasis in patients who have an inadequate response to conventional therapies, and for induction and maintenance in moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.
Skyrizi is approved in multiple countries globally, including the United States, Canada and the European Union, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. In psoriatic disease (psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis) Skyrizi is administered as a quarterly subcutaneous injection following two induction doses. When administered for Crohn’s disease, Skyrizi is given in three induction doses via IV infusion, followed by subcutaneous injection via an on-body injector every eight weeks.
Rinvoq. Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is an oral, once-daily selective and reversible JAK inhibitor that is approved to treat the following inflammatory diseases in North America, the European Union and Japan:
| Condition | Principal Markets | |||||||
| Rheumatoid arthritis (moderate to severe) | North America, European Union, Japan | |||||||
| Psoriatic arthritis | U.S., Canada, European Union, Japan | |||||||
| Ankylosing spondylitis | U.S., European Union | |||||||
| Atopic dermatitis (moderate to severe) | U.S., Canada, European Union, Japan | |||||||
| Axial spondyloarthropathy | U.S., European Union | |||||||
| Ulcerative colitis (moderate to severe) | U.S., European Union | |||||||
| Crohn's disease (moderate to severe) | U.S., European Union |
In the United States, Rinvoq is indicated for both the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, for active psoriatic arthritis, for moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis, for active ankylosing spondylitis and for active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adult patients who have an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers. It is also indicated for the treatment of Crohn's disease in adult patients who have an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers and for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adult
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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 two groups: risks related to AbbVie's business 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, including the loss of exclusivity for Humira and increased competition from biosimilars, may adversely affect AbbVie's 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 could face competition from lower priced generic or biosimilar 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 competitive position is compromised because of generics, biosimilars 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 or biosimilars. Any such proposals that are enacted into law could increase the impact of generic competition.
Large pharmaceutical companies and generics manufacturers of pharmaceutical products continue to expand into the biotechnology field and form partnerships to pursue biosimilars. Companies have developed and are developing biosimilars that compete with AbbVie’s biologic products, including Humira. As competitors 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 of or successful challenges to 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 increased litigation and administrative proceedings with respect to the validity and/or scope of patents relating to its biologic products.
For example, Humira accounted for approximately 27% of AbbVie's total net revenues in 2023. Humira is facing competition from biosimilar products in the United States following the loss of exclusivity in 2023, which AbbVie anticipates will continue to cause a significant decline in Humira's revenue and could adversely affect AbbVie’s revenues and operating earnings.
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 14 |
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."
AbbVie's major products could lose patent protection earlier than expected, which could adversely affect AbbVie's revenues and operating earnings.
A significant portion of AbbVie's revenue and operating earnings are derived from several major products. 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. In addition, petitioners have filed, and may continue to file, challenges to the validity of AbbVie's patents under the 2011 Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, which created inter partes review and post grant review procedures for challenging patent validity in administrative proceedings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
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 may 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, administrative proceedings 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, circumvented or weakened, 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 revenues and operating earnings 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 profitability and financial condition.
Third parties may claim that an AbbVie product infringes upon their intellectual property. In addition, in its pursuit of valid business opportunities, AbbVie may be required to challenge intellectual property rights held by others that it believes were improperly granted. Resolving an intellectual property infringement or other claim can be costly and time consuming and may require AbbVie to enter into license agreements. AbbVie cannot guarantee that i
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Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY
We rely on complex information technology systems and various software applications to operate our business. We have developed a comprehensive cybersecurity program designed to protect our systems and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our data.
We have implemented processes that are intended to assess, identify, manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. We maintain a global incident response plan and disaster recovery management plan, each designed to protect against, identify, evaluate, respond to and recover from an incident. These plans anticipate an array of potential scenarios and provide for the assembly of a cybersecurity incident response team in the event of a cyber incident. The incident response team is a cross-functional group that may be composed of both company personnel and external service providers, and which is tailored to a particular incident so that individuals with appropriate experience and expertise are available. We regularly conduct exercises to help ensure the plans’ effectiveness and our overall preparedness.
We also have invested in tools and technologies to protect our and our patients', customers' and business partners' data and information technology, and we regularly monitor our information technology systems and infrastructure to identify and assess cybersecurity risks. We have designed a Threat Intelligence function that actively looks for risks that target the pharmaceutical industry generally or AbbVie specifically. We rely in part on third parties (including assessors, consultants, advisors and others) in connection with our processes for assessing, identifying, managing and reducing cyber risks.
In addition, we have implemented a cybersecurity awareness program designed to educate and train our entire employee network on how to identify and report cybersecurity threats. Training programs are conducted on a periodic basis and are focused on giving employees tools to manage and defend against the most relevant and prevalent cybersecurity risks to AbbVie. We also provide specialized training for employees in specialized information technology roles. We conduct regular drills, such as tabletop exercises, to help with our overall preparedness.
We take measures to regularly update and improve our cybersecurity program, including conducting independent program assessments, penetration testing and scanning of our systems for vulnerabilities. We follow the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and undergo a third-party assessment every two years to measure the maturity of our cybersecurity program against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. In addition, we periodically engage third-party advisors to assess the effectiveness and capabilities of our cybersecurity program, strengthen our cybersecurity policies and practices and identify potential vulnerabilities of our systems.
With respect to third-party service providers, our information security program includes conducting due diligence of relevant service providers’ information security programs prior to onboarding. We also contractually require third-party service providers with access to our information technology systems, sensitive business data or personally identifiable
| 25 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
information to implement and maintain appropriate security controls and contractually restrict their ability to use our data, including personally identifiable information, for purposes other than to provide services to us, except as required by law. To oversee the risks associated with these service providers, we work with them to help ensure that their cybersecurity protocols are appropriate to the risk presented by their access to or use of our systems and/or data, including notification and coordination concerning incidents occurring on third-party systems that may affect us. These relevant service providers are contractually required to notify us promptly of information security incidents that may affect our systems or data, including personally identifiable information. While we conduct due diligence on the security and business controls of our third-party service providers and take steps to monitor their compliance with our security requirements, we may not have the ability in all cases to effectively monitor or oversee the implementation of these control measures.
As of December 31, 2023, cybersecurity risks have not materially affected our business, strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. Although we have invested in the protection of our data and information technology and monitor our systems on an ongoing basis, there can be no assurance that such efforts will in the future prevent material compromises to our information technology systems that could have a material adverse effect on our business. We maintain cybersecurity insurance coverage to mitigate our financial exposure to certain incidents. For additional information about our cybersecurity risks, see Item 1A, "Risk Factors - AbbVie depends on information technology and a failure of, or significant disruption to, those systems could have a material adverse effect on AbbVie's business."
Our board of directors has risk oversight responsibility for AbbVie and administers this responsibility both directly and with assistance from its committees. Each of the committees periodically reports to the board of directors on its risk oversight activities. Cybersecurity is a critical component of our enterprise risk management program, which is designed to be business aligned, risk-focused and multi-faceted to protect our and our patients', customers' and business partners' data. Our board of directors is actively involved in reviewing our information security and technology risks and opportunities (including cybersecurity) and discusses these topics on a regular basis.
The Audit Committee, comprised solely of independent directors, oversees our enterprise risk management program and assists the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to our information security and technology risks (including cybersecurity), which are fully integrated into our enterprise risk management program. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses our information security and technology risks (such as cybersecurity), including our information security and risk management programs.
Our cybersecurity program is led by our Chief Information Security Officer, who is responsible for assessing and managing our information security and technology risks (including cybersecurity). He has more than 25 years of experience in information security and information technology risk management, holding chief information security officer positions with Fortune 500 companies in the retail, healthcare and life sciences industries. He has also served on the Health-ISAC board of directors and is a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP).
Our Chief Information Security Officer meets regularly with our information technology teams as well as other members of management to review and discuss our cybersecurity and other information technology risks and opportunities. Our global incident response plan sets forth a detailed security incident management and reporting protocol, with escalation timelines and responsibilities.
The Audit Committee receives regular updates from the Chief Information Security Officer and other members of management on our cybersecurity program, including on information security and technology risks, program assessments, and risk management practices. Our Chief Information Security Officer also provides similar topical updates to the full board of directors at least annually.
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 26 |
Item 2. PROPERTIES
AbbVie's corporate offices are located at 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-6400. As of December 31, 2023, AbbVie owns or leases approximately 620 facilities worldwide, containing an aggregate of approximately 19.5 million square feet of floor space dedicated to production, distribution and administration. AbbVie's significant manufacturing facilities are in the following locations:
| United States | Outside the United States | |||||||
| Abbott Park, Illinois* | Campoverde di Aprilia, Italy | |||||||
| Barceloneta, Puerto Rico | Clonshaugh, Ireland | |||||||
| Branchburg, New Jersey* | La Aurora, Costa Rica | |||||||
| Campbell, California | Ludwigshafen, Germany | |||||||
| Cincinnati, Ohio | Pringy, France | |||||||
| Dublin, California* | Singapore* | |||||||
| Irvine, California | Sligo, Ireland | |||||||
| North Chicago, Illinois | Westport, Ireland* | |||||||
| Waco, Texas | ||||||||
| Worcester, Massachusetts* | ||||||||
| Wyandotte, Michigan* | ||||||||
- Leased property.
AbbVie believes its facilities are suitable and provide adequate production capacity for its current and projected operations. There are no material encumbrances on AbbVie's owned properties.
AbbVie distributes products through a network of central and regional distribution centers, with its central distribution centers located in the U.S. and Europe. AbbVie also has research and development facilities in the United States located at: Abbott Park, Illinois; Branchburg, New Jersey; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Irvine, California; Madison, New Jersey; North Chicago, Illinois; Pleasanton, California; South San Francisco, California; and Worcester, Massachusetts. Outside the United States, AbbVie's principal research and development facilities are located in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information pertaining to legal proceedings is provided in Note 15, "Legal Proceedings and Contingencies" to the 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.
| 27 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
| Name | Age | Position | ||||||||||||
| Richard A. Gonzalez | 70 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||
| Robert A. Michael | 53 | President and Chief Operating Officer | ||||||||||||
| Scott T. Reents | 56 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||
| Nicholas J. Donoghoe, M.D. | 43 | Executive Vice President, Chief Business and Strategy Officer | ||||||||||||
| Timothy J. Richmond | 57 | Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer | ||||||||||||
| Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D. | 60 | Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer | ||||||||||||
| Perry C. Siatis | 49 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | ||||||||||||
| Jeffrey R. Stewart | 55 | Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer | ||||||||||||
| Kevin K. Buckbee | 58 | Senior Vice President, Controller | ||||||||||||
| Thomas J. Hudson, M.D. | 62 | Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, Global Research | ||||||||||||
| Roopal Thakkar, M.D. | 52 | Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Global Therapeutics |
Mr. Gonzalez is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AbbVie, a position he has held since 2013. 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; 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. On February 14, 2024, the Board of Directors of AbbVie unanimously selected Mr. Michael to succeed Mr. Gonzalez as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gonzalez will retire from the role of Chief Executive Officer and become Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2024.
Mr. Michael is AbbVie’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Michael previously served as Vice Chairman and President from June 2022 to July 2023, as Vice Chairman, Finance and Commercial Operations and Chief Financial Officer from June 2021 to June 2022, as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from 2019 to 2021, as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from 2018 to 2019 and as Vice President, Controller from 2017 to 2018. He served as AbbVie’s Vice President, Treasurer from 2015 to 2016, as Vice President, Controller, Commercial Operations from 2013 to 2015 and as Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis from 2012 to 2013. At Abbott, Mr. Michael served as Division Controller, Nutrition Supply Chain from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Michael joined Abbott in 1993 and was first appointed as an AbbVie corporate officer in March 2017. On February 14, 2024, the Board of Directors of AbbVie unanimously selected Mr. Michael to succeed Mr. Gonzalez as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gonzalez will retire from the role of Chief Executive Officer and become Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2024. The Board also appointed Mr. Michael as a member of the Board of Directors as a Class II director, effective July 1, 2024.
Mr. Reents is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from June 2022 to November 2022, as Vice President, Tax and Treasury from 2019 to June 2022, and as Vice President, Tax from 2013 to 2019. Mr. Reents joined Abbott in 2008 and was first appointed as an AbbVie corporate officer in June 2022.
Dr. Donoghoe is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Chief Business and Strategy Officer. He has previously served as AbbVie’s Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, R&D from 2022 to 2023, as Senior Vice President, Portfolio Innovation from 2021 to 2022, as Senior Vice President, Global Strategy and Operations, Allergan Aesthetics, from 2020 to 2021, and as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Innovation from 2019 to 2020. Prior to joining AbbVie in 2019, he served as a Partner at McKinsey & Company where he was a leader of the firm's Pharma and Biotechnology practice for over a decade.
Mr. Richmond is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. He served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources from 2013 to 2018. Mr. Richmond 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 and was first appointed as an AbbVie corporate officer in December 2012.
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 28 |
Dr. Saleki-Gerhardt is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer. She served as Executive Vice President, Operations from 2018 to July 2023, and as Senior Vice President, Operations from 2013 to 2018. Dr. Saleki-Gerhardt 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 and was first appointed as an AbbVie corporate officer in December 2012. She serves on the board of Entegris Inc.
Mr. Siatis is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Siatis previously served as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel from September 2021 until October 2022. From 2013 until 2021, Mr. Siatis also served in various roles including as Senior Vice President, Legal and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer; Senior Vice President of Legal Transactions and R&D/Alliance Management and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer; and Vice President, Biologic Strategic Development and Legal Regulatory. Mr. Siatis joined Abbott in 2005 and was first appointed as an AbbVie corporate officer in October 2022.
Mr. Stewart is AbbVie’s Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer. He previously served as Senior Vice President, U.S. Commercial Operations from 2018 to 2020 and as AbbVie’s President, Commercial Operations from 2013 to 2018. Prior to AbbVie’s separation from Abbott, he served as Vice President, Abbott Proprietary Pharmaceutical Division, United States. Mr. Stewart joined Abbott in 1992 and was first appointed as an AbbVie corporate officer in December 2018.
Mr. Buckbee is AbbVie’s Senior Vice President, Controller. Mr. Buckbee previously served as AbbVie’s Vice President, Controller, Global Commercial Operations from January 2016 until March 2023, and as Vice President, Controller, US Commercial Operations from AbbVie’s separation from Abbott in 2013 until December 2015. Mr. Buckbee joined Abbott in 1991 and held several positions in the finance organization.
Dr. Hudson is AbbVie's Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, Global Research. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer from 2019 to 2023, and as Vice President, Head of Oncology Discovery and Early Development from 2016 to 2019. Prior to joining AbbVie, Dr. Hudson served at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research as President and Scientific Director. He also previously served as Founder and Director of the McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre and Assistant Director of the Whitehead/MIT Center for Genome Research. Dr. Hudson was first appointed as an AbbVie corporate officer in July 2019.
Dr. Thakkar serves as AbbVie's Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Global Therapeutics. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Development and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at AbbVie from late 2022 until early December 2023, as Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs and R&D Quality Assurance from 2019 to 2022, and as Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs from 2015 to 2019. Dr. Thakkar joined Abbott in 2003 and was first appointed as a corporate officer in December 2023.
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.
| 29 | | 2023 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 (Symbol: ABBV). AbbVie's common stock is also listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange and traded on various regional and electronic exchanges.
Stockholders
There were 42,369 stockholders of record of AbbVie common stock as of January 31, 2024.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total returns of AbbVie, the S&P 500 Index and the NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals Index for the period from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023. This graph assumes $100 was invested in AbbVie common stock and each index on December 31, 2018 and also assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The stock price performance on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

This performance graph is furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" with the SEC or subject to Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of AbbVie's filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 30 |
Dividends
On October 26, 2023, AbbVie's board of directors declared an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $1.48 per share to $1.55 per share, payable on February 15, 2024, to stockholders of record as of January 16, 2024. 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.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
| Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023 | 952 | (1) | $ | 147.82 | (1) | — | $ | 4,808,991,028 | ||||||||||||||||||
| November 1, 2023 - November 30, 2023 | 1,175 | (1) | $ | 141.94 | (1) | — | $ | 4,808,991,028 | ||||||||||||||||||
| December 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023 | 26,320 | (1) | $ | 153.02 | (1) | — | $ | 4,808,991,028 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 28,447 | (1) | $ | 152.39 | (1) | — | $ | 4,808,991,028 |
- In addition to AbbVie shares repurchased on the open market under a publicly announced program, if any, these shares also included the shares purchased on the open market for the benefit of participants in the AbbVie Employee Stock Purchase Plan – 952 in October; 1,175 in November; and 26,320 in December.
These shares do not include the shares surrendered to AbbVie to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting or exercise of stock-based awards.
| 31 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
Item 6. [RESERVED]
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 32 |
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). This commentary should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes appearing in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." This section of Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Company Overview
AbbVie is a global, diversified research-based biopharmaceutical company positioned for success with a comprehensive product portfolio that has leadership positions across immunology, oncology, aesthetics, neuroscience and eye care. AbbVie uses 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'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. Certain products (including aesthetic products and devices) are also sold directly to physicians and other licensed healthcare providers. In the United States, AbbVie distributes pharmaceutical products principally through independent wholesale distributors, with some sales directly to retailers, pharmacies, patients or other customers. Outside the United States, AbbVie sells products primarily to wholesalers or through distributors, and depending on the market works through largely centralized national payers systems to agree on reimbursement terms. Certain products are co-marketed or co-promoted with other companies. AbbVie operates as a single global business segment and has approximately 50,000 employees.
2024 Strategic Objectives
AbbVie's mission is to discover and develop innovative medicines and products that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow while achieving top-tier financial performance through outstanding execution. AbbVie intends to execute its strategy and advance its mission in a number of ways, including: (i) maximizing the benefits of a diversified revenue base with multiple long-term growth drivers; (ii) leveraging AbbVie's commercial strength and international infrastructure across therapeutic areas and ensuring strong commercial execution of new product launches; (iii) continuing to invest in and expand its pipeline in support of opportunities in immunology, oncology, aesthetics, neuroscience and eye care as well as continued investment in key on-market products; (iv) generating substantial operating cash flows to support investment in innovative research and development, and return cash to shareholders via a strong and growing dividend while also continuing to repay debt. In addition, AbbVie anticipates several regulatory submissions and data readouts from key clinical trials in the next 12 months.
AbbVie expects to achieve its strategic objectives through:
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Skyrizi and Rinvoq revenue growth driven by increasing market share and Skyrizi indication expansion.
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Successful integration of the ImmunoGen, Inc. and proposed Cerevel Therapeutics acquisitions.
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Advancing our oncology portfolio driven by Venclexta, strong commercial execution of Epkinly, Elahere and other new product launches and effectively managing regulatory, market and competitive challenges impacting Imbruvica.
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Aesthetics revenue growth driven by global expansion, increasing market penetration of Botox and Juvederm Collection and strong commercial execution of new product launches.
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Neuroscience revenue growth driven by Vraylar, Botox Therapeutic, Ubrelvy and Qulipta as well as strong commercial execution of new product launches.
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Maximizing AbbVie's existing eye care portfolio.
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Continuing to effectively manage the impact of Humira biosimilar erosion.
| 33 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
- The favorable impact of pipeline products and indications recently approved or currently under regulatory review where approval is expected in 2024. These products are described in greater detail in the section labeled "Research and Development" included as part of this Item 7.
2023 Financial Results
AbbVie's strategy has focused on delivering strong financial results, maximizing the benefits of a diversified revenue base, advancing and investing in its pipeline and returning value to shareholders while ensuring a strong, sustainable growth business over the long term. The company's financial performance in 2023 included delivering worldwide net revenues of $54.3 billion, operating earnings of $12.8 billion, diluted earnings per share of $2.72 and cash flows from operations of $22.8 billion. Worldwide net revenues decreased by 6% on a reported and constant currency basis due to Humira biosimilar competition which was partially offset by growth across the non-Humira product portfolio.
Diluted earnings per share in 2023 was $2.72 and included the following after-tax costs: (i) $6.7 billion related to the amortization of intangible assets; (ii) $5.0 billion for the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities; (iii) $3.5 billion related to intangible asset impairment; and (iv) $122 million of acquisition and integration expenses. These costs were partially offset by an after-tax gain of $381 million related to a favorable settlement of a litigation matter. Additionally, financial results reflected continued funding to support all stages of AbbVie’s pipeline assets and continued investment in AbbVie’s on-market brands.
Regulation
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has and will continue to have a significant impact on how drugs are covered and paid for under the Medicare program, including through the creation of financial penalties for drugs whose price increases outpace inflation, the redesign of Medicare Part D benefits to shift a greater portion of the costs to manufacturers, and through government price-setting for certain Medicare Part B and Part D drugs. In 2023, Imbruvica was selected as one of the first 10 medicines subject to government-set prices beginning in 2026. The price-setting process will conclude in 2024 and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will publish prices that will be applicable to the 10 selected drugs beginning in 2026. It is possible that more of our products, including products that generate substantial revenues, could be selected in future years, which could, among other things, accelerate revenue erosion prior to expiration of intellectual property protections. The effect of reducing prices and reimbursement for certain of our products would significantly impact our results of operations. See Part I, Item 1 “Business – Regulation – Commercialization, Distribution and Manufacturing,” Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Research and Development
Research and innovation are the cornerstones of AbbVie's business as a global biopharmaceutical company. AbbVie's long-term success depends to a great extent on its ability to continue to discover and develop innovative products and acquire or collaborate on compounds currently in development by other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.
AbbVie's pipeline
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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. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the company's financial instruments and hedging strategies.
Foreign Currency Risk
AbbVie's primary net foreign currency exposures are the Euro, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, Chinese yuan and British pound. The following table reflects the total foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31 (in millions) | Contract amount | Weighted average exchange rate | Fair and carrying value receivable/(payable) | Contract amount | Weighted average exchange rate | Fair and carrying value receivable/(payable) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receive primarily U.S. dollars in exchange for the following currencies: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Euro | $ | 10,707 | 1.107 | $ | (99) | $ | 8,507 | 1.071 | $ | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian dollar | 1,244 | 1.329 | (8) | 1,302 | 1.312 | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Japanese yen | 726 | 139.636 | 2 | 567 | 133.271 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British pound | 505 | 1.271 | (1) | 772 | 1.234 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese yuan | 479 | 7.104 | — | 596 | 7.024 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All other currencies | 2,263 | n/a | (31) | 1,954 | n/a | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 15,924 | $ | (137) | $ | 13,698 | $ | 31 |
The company estimates that a 10% 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 $1.6 billion at December 31, 2023. If realized, this appreciation would negatively affect earnings over the remaining life of the contracts. However, 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. A 10% appreciation is believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in foreign currencies.
As of December 31, 2023, the company has €5.4 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior Euro notes outstanding, which are exposed to foreign currency risk. The company designated these foreign currency denominated notes as hedges of its net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates. As a result, any foreign currency translation gains or losses related to the Euro notes will be included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the senior Euro notes and Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the net investment hedging program.
Interest Rate Risk
The company estimates that an increase in interest rates of 100 basis points would adversely impact the fair value of AbbVie's interest rate swap contracts by approximately $216 million at December 31, 2023. 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 $3.9 billion at December 31, 2023. A 100 basis point change is believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in interest rates.
| 49 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) | 96 |
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 50 |
AbbVie Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
| years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 54,318 | $ | 58,054 | $ | 56,197 | |||||||||||
| Cost of products sold | 20,415 | 17,414 | 17,446 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 12,872 | 15,260 | 12,349 | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 7,675 | 6,510 | 6,922 | ||||||||||||||
| Acquired IPR&D and milestones | 778 | 697 | 1,124 | ||||||||||||||
| Other operating expense (income), net | (179) | 56 | 432 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 41,561 | 39,937 | 38,273 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating earnings | 12,757 | 18,117 | 17,924 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 1,684 | 2,044 | 2,384 | ||||||||||||||
| Net foreign exchange loss | 146 | 148 | 51 | ||||||||||||||
| Other expense, net | 4,677 | 2,448 | 2,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income tax expense | 6,250 | 13,477 | 12,989 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,377 | 1,632 | 1,440 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 4,873 | 11,845 | 11,549 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | 10 | 9 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to AbbVie Inc. | $ | 4,863 | $ | 11,836 | $ | 11,542 | |||||||||||
| Per share data | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share attributable to AbbVie Inc. | $ | 2.73 | $ | 6.65 | $ | 6.48 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to AbbVie Inc. | $ | 2.72 | $ | 6.63 | $ | 6.45 | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average basic shares outstanding | 1,768 | 1,771 | 1,770 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding | 1,773 | 1,778 | 1,777 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| 51 |  under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, AbbVie's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
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.
Management's annual 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, 2023. 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, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
The effectiveness of AbbVie's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report below, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of AbbVie's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.
Report of independent registered public accounting firm. 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 below.
| 99 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of AbbVie Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, 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). In our opinion, AbbVie Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and our report dated February 20, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's 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 annual 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 are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
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.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 20, 2024
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 100 |
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, no director or officer of the company adopted, modified or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K, except as provided below.
| Name & Title | Action Taken | Date Adopted | Type of Trading Arrangement (1) | Aggregate Number of Shares to be Sold Pursuant to Trading Arrangement (2) | Duration of Trading Arrangement**(3)** | ||||||||||||
| Perry C. Siatis Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | Adoption | 11/01/2023 | Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement | Up to 31,549 Shares to be Sold | 08/30/2024 | ||||||||||||
| Timothy J. Richmond Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer | Adoption | 11/13/2023 | Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement | Up to 122,957 Shares to be Sold | 12/31/2024 |
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Except as indicated by footnote, each trading arrangement marked as a "Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement" is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c), as amended.
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The number of shares to be sold under each trading arrangement represents the maximum actual number of shares issuable under the applicable performance stock awards. The actual number of shares to be sold under each trading arrangement will depend on the achievement of applicable performance conditions under the performance stock awards and the number of shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations upon the vesting of the awards.
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Except as indicated by footnote, each trading arrangement permitted or permits transactions through and including the earlier to occur of (a) the completion of all sales or (b) the date listed in the table. Each trading arrangement marked as a “Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement” only permitted or only permits transactions upon expiration of the applicable mandatory cooling-off period under the Rule.
Item 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not Applicable.
| 101 | | 2023 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," "Communicating with the Board of Directors," and "Deadlines for Notice of Stockholder Actions to be Considered at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders" to be included in the 2024 AbbVie Inc. Proxy Statement. The 2024 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 18, 2024. Also incorporated herein by reference is the text found in this Form 10-K under the caption, "Information about Our Executive Officers."
AbbVie's code of business conduct requires all its business activities to be conducted in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ethical principles and values. All directors, officers and employees of AbbVie are expected to 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 Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary 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 2024 AbbVie Inc. Proxy Statement under the headings "Director Compensation," "Executive Compensation," and "Compensation Committee Report" is incorporated herein by reference. The 2024 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 18, 2024.
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 102 |
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, 2023 about AbbVie's equity compensation plans under which AbbVie common stock has been authorized for issuance:
| Plan Category | (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) | (b) Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (2) | (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (3) | ||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 18,219,985 | $ | 102.80 | 62,004,889 | |||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 18,219,985 | $ | 102.80 | 62,004,889 |
(1)Includes 12,197 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, restricted stock awards and performance shares that have no exercise price.
(3)Excludes shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and pursuant to other rights granted under the Stemcentrx 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, which was assumed by AbbVie upon the consummation of its acquisition of Stemcentrx, Inc. As of December 31, 2023, 41,212 options remained outstanding under this plan. The options have a weighted-average exercise price of $18.02. No further awards will be granted under this plan.
*(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 2024 AbbVie Inc. Proxy Statement. The 2024 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 18, 2024.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The material to be included in the 2024 AbbVie Inc. 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 2024 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 18, 2024.
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The material to be included in the 2024 AbbVie Inc. 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 2024 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 18, 2024.
| 103 | | 2023 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" 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 set forth in Item 15(b) below.
(b) Exhibits:
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 104 |
| 105 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 106 |
- 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.
Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2, above, are furnished herewith and should not be deemed to be "filed" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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.
| 107 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
2023 Form 10-K | ![]() | 108 |
SIGNATURES
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.
| AbbVie Inc. | ||||||||||||||
| By: | /s/ RICHARD A. GONZALEZ | |||||||||||||
| Name: | Richard A. Gonzalez | |||||||||||||
| Title: | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||||
| Date: | February 20, 2024 |
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, 2024 in the capacities indicated below.
| /s/ RICHARD A. GONZALEZ | /s/ SCOTT T. REENTS | |||||||
| Richard A. Gonzalez Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | Scott T. Reents Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||
| /s/ KEVIN K. BUCKBEE | ||||||||
| Kevin K. Buckbee Senior Vice President, Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||||
| /s/ ROBERT J. ALPERN, M.D. | /s/ ROXANNE S. AUSTIN | |||||||
| Robert J. Alpern, M.D. Director of AbbVie Inc. | Roxanne S. Austin Director of AbbVie Inc. | |||||||
| /s/ WILLIAM H.L. BURNSIDE | /s/ JENNIFER L. DAVIS | |||||||
| William H.L. Burnside Director of AbbVie Inc. | Jennifer L. Davis Director of AbbVie Inc. | |||||||
| /s/ THOMAS C. FREYMAN | /s/ BRETT J. HART | |||||||
| Thomas C. Freyman Director of AbbVie Inc. | Brett J. Hart Director of AbbVie Inc. | |||||||
| /s/ MELODY B. MEYER | /s/ SUSAN E. QUAGGIN, M.D. | |||||||
| Melody B. Meyer Director of AbbVie Inc. | Susan E. Quaggin, M.D. Director of AbbVie Inc. | |||||||
| /s/ EDWARD J. RAPP | /s/ REBECCA B. ROBERTS | |||||||
| Edward J. Rapp Director of AbbVie Inc. | Rebecca B. Roberts Director of AbbVie Inc. | |||||||
| /s/ GLENN F. TILTON | /s/ FREDERICK H. WADDELL | |||||||
| Glenn F. Tilton Director of AbbVie Inc. | Frederick H. Waddell Director of AbbVie Inc. |
| 109 | | 2023 Form 10-K |
| 2023 Form 10-K