Edgar Filing: ABBOTT LABORATORIES

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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-212002

MERGER PROPOSED—YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

September 26, 2016

Dear St. Jude Medical, Inc. Shareholder:

On April 27, 2016, St. Jude Medical, Inc. and Abbott Laboratories entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, which we refer to as the merger agreement, that provides for the acquisition of St. Jude Medical by Abbott. Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of Abbott will merge with and into St. Jude Medical, with St. Jude Medical surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott, which we refer to as the first merger, and, then, St. Jude Medical will merge with and into a second subsidiary of Abbott, with such second subsidiary surviving the merger, which we refer to as the second merger. We refer to these two merger transactions as the "mergers."

If the mergers are completed, you will be entitled to receive $46.75 in cash, without interest, and 0.8708 of an Abbott share for each St. Jude Medical share that you own at the time the first merger is completed, in each case, less any applicable withholding taxes. This proportion of cash and shares is subject to adjustment in certain limited circumstances. See the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Per Share Merger Consideration." You will not, however, receive any fractional Abbott shares in the mergers. Instead, you will receive cash in respect of any fraction of an Abbott share to which you otherwise would be entitled to receive. See the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Effective Times, Effects of the Mergers; Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers." The implied value of the Abbott share portion of the merger consideration will fluctuate as the market price for Abbott shares fluctuates. You should obtain current stock price quotations for Abbott shares and St. Jude Medical shares before deciding how to vote with respect to approval of the merger agreement. St. Jude Medical shares and the Abbott shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "STJ" and "ABT," respectively.

You are being asked to vote on the merger agreement and additional matters at St. Jude Medical's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which we refer to as the shareholders' meeting. The St. Jude Medical board of directors unanimously recommends that St. Jude Medical shareholders vote "FOR" Proposal 1 to approve the merger agreement and also "FOR" Proposals 2 through 9 to be considered at the shareholders' meeting and "AGAINST" Proposal 10 to be considered at the shareholders' meeting.

In considering the recommendation of the St. Jude Medical board of directors with regards to Proposals 1 and 2, you should be aware that certain of the St. Jude Medical directors and executive officers will have interests in the mergers that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of St. Jude Medical shareholders generally. See the section entitled "Interests of St. Jude Medical's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers" of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

Your vote is important. The mergers cannot be completed unless St. Jude Medical shareholders holding at least a majority of the St. Jude Medical shares outstanding as of the close of business on September 16, 2016, the record date for the shareholders' meeting, vote in favor of approval of the merger agreement at the shareholders' meeting. The failure of any shareholder to vote will have the same effect as a vote against approving the merger agreement. Accordingly, whether or not you plan to attend the shareholders' meeting, you are requested to promptly vote your shares by proxy electronically via the Internet, by telephone or by sending in the appropriate paper proxy card as instructed in these materials.

St. Jude Medical's shareholders' meeting will be held on October 26, 2016, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time), at the Minnesota History Center, located at 345 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55102.

This proxy statement/prospectus describes the shareholders' meeting, the mergers, the documents relating to the mergers and other related matters. Please read carefully the entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 37, for a discussion of the risks relating to the proposed mergers, and the Annexes and documents incorporated by reference.



		Michael T. Rousseau President and Chief Executive Officer St. Jude Medical, Inc.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the mergers or other transactions described in the attached proxy statement/prospectus or the securities to be issued pursuant to the first merger under the attached proxy statement/prospectus, nor have they determined if the attached proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or adequate. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus is dated September 26, 2016 and is first being mailed to St. Jude Medical shareholders on or about September 26, 2016.

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Dear St. Jude Medical Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend St. Jude Medical's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which we refer to as the shareholders' meeting. The shareholders' meeting will be held on October 26, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time), at the Minnesota History Center, located at 345 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55102, to consider and vote upon the following matters:


Proposal 1.		to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 27, 2016, as it may be amended from time to time, by and among Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, St. Jude Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, Vault Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Vault Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and adopt the plan of merger (as such term is defined in Section 302A.611 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act) contained therein;
Proposal 2.		to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, certain compensation arrangements for St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in connection with the mergers contemplated by the merger agreement;
Proposal 3.		to elect three members to the St. Jude Medical board of directors for terms ending in 2019;
Proposal 4.		to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, the compensation of St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in 2015;
Proposal 5.		to approve the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan;
Proposal 6.		to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation and bylaws to declassify the St. Jude Medical board of directors;
Proposal 7.		to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's bylaws to implement proxy access;
Proposal 8.		to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016;
Proposal 9.		to adjourn the shareholders' meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the shareholders' meeting to approve the merger agreement;
Proposal 10.		a shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting if properly presented at the meeting; and

any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus further describes the matters to be considered at the shareholders' meeting. A copy of the merger agreement has been included as Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

The record date for the shareholders' meeting is September 16, 2016. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 16, 2016 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the shareholders' meeting. All shareholders of record as of that date are cordially invited to attend the shareholders' meeting in person. Attendance at the shareholders' meeting will be limited to St. Jude Medical shareholders as of the close of business on the record date or their authorized representatives, as more fully described under the section entitled "Information About the Shareholders' Meeting." If you wish to attend the meeting in person, you will need to register for the shareholders' meeting and print your admission ticket at www.proxyvote.com. An admission ticket and a form of valid government-issued photo identification must be presented in order to be admitted to the shareholders' meeting.

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Please refer to the section entitled "Information About the Shareholders' Meeting" for further information.

Approval of the proposal to amend St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation and bylaws to declassify the St. Jude Medical board of directors requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of St. Jude Medical common stock, which we refer to as St. Jude Medical shares, entitled to vote thereon. Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon. The election of directors requires that the number of votes cast "FOR" a director exceeds the number of votes cast "AGAINST" the election of that director, so long as a quorum is present (unless the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, which we refer to as a contested election, in which case the directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors). The approval of each other proposal to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting, as listed above, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on such proposal, so long as the total number of shares voted in favor of such proposal is greater than 25% of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon and a quorum is present at the outset of the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

The St. Jude Medical board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and determined the mergers, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement to be in the best interests of St. Jude Medical and its shareholders, and unanimously recommends that St. Jude Medical shareholders vote "FOR" Proposal 1 to approve the merger agreement. The St. Jude Medical board of directors also unanimously recommends that the St. Jude Medical shareholders vote "FOR" each of the following: Proposal 2 to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, certain compensation arrangements for St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in connection with the mergers contemplated by the merger agreement; Proposal 3 to elect three members to the St. Jude Medical board of directors for terms ending in 2019; Proposal 4 to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation of St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in 2015; Proposal 5 to approve the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan; Proposal 6 to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation and bylaws to declassify the St. Jude Medical board of directors; Proposal 7 to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's bylaws to implement proxy access; Proposal 8 to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016; and Proposal 9 to adjourn the shareholders' meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the shareholders' meeting to approve the merger agreement. The St. Jude Medical board of directors also unanimously recommends that the St. Jude Medical shareholders vote "AGAINST" Proposal 10, the shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting, if properly presented at the meeting.

In considering the recommendation of the St. Jude Medical board of directors with regards to Proposals 1 and 2, you should be aware that certain directors and executive officers of St. Jude Medical will have interests in the mergers that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of St. Jude Medical shareholders generally. See the section entitled "Interests of St. Jude Medical's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers" of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of St. Jude Medical shares that you own. We cannot complete the mergers, unless St. Jude Medical's shareholders approve the merger agreement.

Even if you plan to attend the shareholders' meeting in person, St. Jude Medical requests that you complete, sign, date and return, as promptly as possible, the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying prepaid reply envelope or submit your proxy by telephone or the Internet prior to the shareholders' meeting to ensure that your St. Jude Medical shares will be represented at the shareholders' meeting if you ultimately are unable to attend. If you hold your shares in street name through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you should follow the procedures provided by your bank, brokerage firm or

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other nominee to vote your shares. If you fail to submit a proxy or to attend the shareholders' meeting in person or do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions as to how to vote your shares, as applicable, your St. Jude Medical shares will not be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at the shareholders' meeting (except in the case of broker "non-votes") and, in each case, will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" approval of the merger agreement and the proposal to declassify the St. Jude Medical Board of Directors.

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WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN, AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING PREPAID REPLY ENVELOPE, OR SUBMIT YOUR PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET. IF YOU ATTEND THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING AND VOTE IN PERSON, YOUR VOTE BY BALLOT WILL REVOKE ANY PROXY PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED.


		By Order of the Board of Directors,

		Jason Zellers Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
St. Paul, Minnesota Dated: September 26, 2016

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PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY. YOU CAN FIND INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTING ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSALS OR ABOUT VOTING YOUR SHARES, PLEASE CONTACT ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S PROXY SOLICITOR, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, BY TELEPHONE AT (877) 456-3524 (TOLL FREE FOR SHAREHOLDERS) OR (212) 750-5833 (COLLECT FOR BANKS AND BROKERS).

REFERENCES TO MORE INFORMATION

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about St. Jude Medical and Abbott, from other documents that St. Jude Medical and Abbott have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, and that are contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. For a listing of documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, please see the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information." This information is available for you to review at the SEC's public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549, and through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

You may request copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and any of the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus or other information concerning St. Jude Medical, without charge, by telephone or written request directed to St. Jude Medical's Investor Relations Department at One St. Jude Medical Drive, St. Paul, MN 55117, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (651) 756-4347; or by telephone or written request directed to Innisfree M&A Incorporated, St. Jude Medical's proxy solicitor, at 501 Madison Avenue, 20th floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (877) 456-3524 (toll free for shareholders) or (212) 750-5833 (collect for banks and brokers).

In order for you to receive timely delivery of the documents in advance of St. Jude Medical's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which we refer to as the shareholders' meeting, to be held on October 26, 2016, you must request the information no later than five business days prior to the date of the shareholders' meeting, by October 19, 2016.

ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This proxy statement/prospectus, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by Abbott (File No. 333-212002), constitutes a prospectus of Abbott under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, with respect to the common shares, without par value, of Abbott, which we refer to as Abbott shares, to be issued to St. Jude Medical shareholders pursuant to the merger agreement. This document also constitutes a proxy statement of St. Jude Medical under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the shareholders' meeting, at which St. Jude Medical shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon approval of the merger agreement and other enumerated proposals.

Abbott has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus relating to Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC, and St. Jude Medical has supplied all such information relating to St. Jude Medical.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. Abbott and St. Jude Medical have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated September 26, 2016, and you should not

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assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than such date. Further, you should not assume that the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the incorporated document. Neither the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus to St. Jude Medical shareholders nor the issuance by Abbott of shares pursuant to the merger agreement will create any implication to the contrary.

All references in this proxy statement/prospectus to "Abbott" refer to Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, and/or its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. All references in this proxy statement/prospectus to "St. Jude Medical" refer to St. Jude Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, and/or its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. All references in this proxy statement/prospectus to St. Jude Medical's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 mean such annual report as revised by St. Jude Medical's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 7, 2016.

This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction in which or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

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		Page

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGERS AND THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING			1
SUMMARY			12
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF ABBOTT			25
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL			27
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION			29
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA			31
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION			33
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			36
RISK FACTORS			37
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING			46
Proxies and Voting Procedures			46
Shareholders Entitled to Vote			47
Required Vote			47
Cost of Proxy Solicitation			49
THE PARTIES TO THE MERGERS			50
PROPOSAL 1: THE MERGERS			51
Per Share Merger Consideration			51
Background of the Mergers			51
St. Jude Medical Board of Directors' Recommendation and Reasons for the Mergers			56
Opinion of St. Jude Medical's Financial Advisor			60
Certain St. Jude Medical Unaudited Financial Projections			77
Certain Abbott Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts			79
Financing of the Mergers			81
Closing and Effective Times			82
Regulatory Approvals			82
Accounting Treatment			83
NYSE Market Listing			83
Delisting and Deregistration of St. Jude Medical Shares			83
Abbott's Dividend Policy			83
Litigation Related to the Mergers			83
THE MERGER AGREEMENT			86
Explanatory Note Regarding the Merger Agreement			86
Effective Times, Effects of the Mergers; Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers			86
Exchange and Payment Procedures			88
Treatment of St. Jude Medical Equity Awards			90
Representations and Warranties			92
Conduct of Businesses of St. Jude Medical and Abbott Prior to Completion of the Mergers			94
No Solicitation			98
No Change in Recommendation or Entry into Alternative Acquisition Agreement			100
St. Jude Medical Shareholder Meeting			101
Financing			102
Access to Information			103
Expenses			103
Employee Matters			103
Indemnification and Insurance			104

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Certain Additional Covenants			105
Conditions to Completion of the Mergers			105
Regulatory Approvals			107
Termination of the Merger Agreement			107
Amendment and Assignment			109
Jurisdiction; Specific Enforcement			110
INTERESTS OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN THE MERGERS			111
Certain Assumptions			111
Change in Control Severance Agreements			111
Gross-Ups			112
Equity Compensation			112
Abbott Retention Agreements			114
Indemnification and Insurance			115
Quantification of Potential Payments and Benefits to St. Jude Medical's Named Executive Officers in Connection with the Mergers			115
PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE ON MERGER-RELATED COMPENSATION FOR ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS			118
Vote Required and Board of Directors' Recommendation			118
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING MATERIALS—GOVERNANCE OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL			119
Board Leadership Structure			119
St. Jude Medical Board of Directors' Role in Risk Oversight			121
Meeting Attendance, Executive Sessions, and Performance Evaluations			122
Principles of Corporate Governance			122
Code of Business Conduct			122
Communications with Directors			122
Director Nomination Process			122
Director Attendance at Annual Shareholder Meeting			123
Director Independence and Audit Committee Financial Literacy and Expertise			123
Director Qualifications			124
Committees of the St. Jude Medical Board of Directors			127
Report of the Audit Committee			128
Compensation of Directors			129
Director Compensation Table			131
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation			132
Related Person Transactions			132
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance			133
PROPOSAL 3: PROPOSAL TO ELECT DIRECTORS			134
Nominees for Terms Expiring in 2019			134
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2017			135
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2018			136
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING MATERIALS—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION			137
Compensation Committee Report			137
Compensation Discussion and Analysis			137
Use of Consultants and Other Advisors			141
Overview of Components of Named Executive Officer Compensation Program			141
Determination of Targeted Compensation Levels			144
Fiscal 2015 Market Data			146
Overview of Fiscal 2015 Compensation			147
Fiscal 2015 Base Salaries			148

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Fiscal 2015 Annual Incentive Awards			149
Fiscal 2015 Long-Term Incentive Awards			150
Fiscal 2015 Other Benefits			151
Change in Control Severance Agreements			151
Executive Severance Plan			152
Stock Ownership Guidelines			153
Anti-Hedging Policy and Anti-Pledging Policy			153
Tax Implications of Executive Compensation			153
Compensation Risk Analysis			154
Summary Compensation Table			155
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2015			156
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2015 Fiscal Year-End			157
Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 2015			158
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation			159
Employment Agreements			160
Change in Control Severance Agreements			160
Executive Severance Plan			161
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control			161
Equity Awards			162
Deferred Compensation			162
Life Insurance Benefits			162
Severance Payments—If No Change in Control			162
Severance Payments—Following a Change in Control			163
PROPOSAL 4: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN 2015			164
PROPOSAL 5: PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC. 2016 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN			166
Reasons for Approval			166
Administration			167
Eligible Participants			167
Shares Available for Awards			168
Types of Awards and Terms and Conditions			168
Counting Shares			170
Duration, Termination and Amendment			171
Prohibition on Repricing Awards			171
Clawback and Recoupment			172
Change in Control			172
Transferability of Awards			172
Federal Income Tax Consequences			172
New Plan Benefits			174
Equity Compensation Plan Information			175
PROPOSAL 6: AMENDMENTS TO ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS TO DECLASSIFY ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS			176
PROPOSAL 7: AMENDMENTS TO ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S BYLAWS TO IMPLEMENT PROXY ACCESS			177
Shareholders Eligibility to Nominate			177
Calculation of Qualifying Ownership			177
Number of Shareholder-Nominated Candidates			177
Procedure for Selecting Candidates in the Event the Number of Nominees Exceeds 25%			178

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Nominating Procedure			178
Information Required of All Nominating Shareholders			178
Information Required of All Shareholder Nominees			179
Disqualification of Shareholder Nominees			179
Future Disqualification of Shareholder Nominees			179
Supporting Statement			180
Interpretations			180
Other Changes			180
Effectiveness			180
PROPOSAL 8: PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			181
Audit and Other Fees			181
Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services			181
Ratification of Appointment			182
PROPOSAL 9: ADJOURNMENT OF THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES			183
PROPOSAL 10: SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING SUPERMAJORITY VOTING			184
Board Recommendation			184
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES			187
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION			191
DESCRIPTION OF ABBOTT COMMON SHARES			204
General			204
Authorized and Outstanding			204
Listing			204
Dividends			204
Fully Paid			204
Voting Rights			204
Preemptive or Conversion Rights			205
Liquidation			205
Shareholder Action by Written Consent; Meetings			205
Inclusion of Shareholder Director Nominations in Proxy Materials			205
Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Illinois Law and Abbott's Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-laws			206
Transfer Agent and Registrar			207
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS			208
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL SHAREHOLDERS			224
VALIDITY OF COMMON SHARES			227
EXPERTS			227
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL SHARES			228
OTHER MATTERS			230
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2017 ANNUAL MEETING			230
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS			231
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			232


Annex A:		Agreement and Plan of Merger
Annex B:		Proposed Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of St. Jude Medical to Declassify the Board of Directors

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Annex C:		Proposed Amendments to the Bylaws of St. Jude Medical to Implement Proxy Access
Annex D:		St. Jude Medical 2016 Stock Incentive Plan
Annex E:		Opinion of Guggenheim Securities, LLC
Annex F:		Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act
Annex G:		St. Jude Medical Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGERS AND THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING

The following questions and answers are intended to briefly address some commonly asked questions regarding the mergers, the merger agreement and the shareholders' meeting. These questions and answers may not address all questions that may be important to you as a St. Jude Medical shareholder. Please refer to the section entitled "Summary" and the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, the annexes to this proxy statement/prospectus and the documents referred to within or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, which you should read carefully and in their entirety. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus without charge by following the instructions in the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

Q:: Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus and proxy card?
A:: St. Jude Medical has agreed to be acquired by Abbott under the terms of the merger agreement that are described in this proxy statement/prospectus. Consequently, St. Jude Medical is asking holders of its common stock, which we refer to as St. Jude Medical shares, to consider and vote at the shareholders' meeting upon a proposal to approve the merger agreement. If the merger agreement is approved by St. Jude Medical shareholders, and the other conditions to closing under the merger agreement are satisfied or waived, the surviving company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott.
: St. Jude Medical is also asking its shareholders to consider and vote at the shareholders' meeting on various other proposals as discussed below in response to the question "What am I being asked to vote on at the St. Jude Medical Shareholders' Meeting?". This proxy statement/prospectus includes important information about the mergers, the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus, and the shareholders' meeting. St. Jude Medical shareholders should read this information carefully and in its entirety. The enclosed voting materials allow shareholders to vote their shares without attending the shareholders' meeting in person.
Q:: Does my vote matter?
A:: Yes. The mergers cannot be completed, unless the merger agreement is approved by St. Jude Medical's shareholders. If you fail to submit a proxy or vote in person at the shareholders' meeting, or vote to abstain, or

: you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions, as applicable, it will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" approval of the merger agreement. The St. Jude Medical board of directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger agreement.
Q:: What am I being asked to vote on at the shareholders' meeting?
A:: You are being asked to consider and vote upon certain proposals related to the mergers between Abbott and St. Jude Medical and various other proposals related to St. Jude Medical's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.
: Proposals Related to the Mergers. With regard to the proposed mergers between Abbott and St. Jude Medical, you will be asked to consider and vote upon: Proposal 1 to approve the merger agreement; Proposal 2 to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, certain compensation arrangements for St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in connection with the merger contemplated by the merger agreement; and Proposal 9 to adjourn the shareholders' meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the shareholders' meeting to approve the merger agreement.
: St. Jude Medical Annual Meeting Matters. Because St. Jude Medical has delayed its previously scheduled annual meeting, you will also be asked to consider and vote upon: Proposal 3 to elect three members to the St. Jude Medical board of directors for terms ending in 2019; Proposal 4 to approve

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: by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation of St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in 2015; Proposal 5 to approve the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan; Proposal 6 to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation and bylaws to declassify the St. Jude Medical board of directors, which we refer to as the declassification proposal; Proposal 7 to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's bylaws to implement proxy access; Proposal 8 to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016; and Proposal 10, a shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting if properly presented at the meeting.
Q:: How does the St. Jude Medical board of directors recommend that I vote at the shareholders' meeting?
A:: The St. Jude Medical board of directors unanimously recommends that St. Jude Medical shareholders vote "FOR" Proposal 1 to approve the merger agreement, and "FOR" Proposals 2 through 9.
: Additionally, the St. Jude Medical board of directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote "AGAINST" Proposal 10, the shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting if properly presented at the meeting.
Q:: What is the vote required to approve each proposal at the St. Jude Medical shareholders' meeting?
A:: Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon.

: Approval of the declassification proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon.
: Generally, the election of directors requires that the number of votes cast "FOR" a director exceeds the number of votes cast "AGAINST" the election of that director, so long as a quorum is present. However, in a contested election directors are elected by a plurality of votes present and entitled to vote thereon.
: Approval of each other proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of St. Jude Medical shares present and entitled to vote thereon, so long as the number of shares voted "FOR" such proposal is greater than 25% of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon and a quorum is present at the outset of the shareholders' meeting.
: See the section entitled "Information about the Shareholders' Meeting—Required Vote."
Q:: What constitutes a quorum for the shareholders' meeting?
A:: The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the shareholders' meeting. Abstentions and broker "non-votes" (as discussed below) are counted as present and entitled to vote for the purpose of establishing a quorum. Except with regards to the proposal to elect directors, abstentions will be counted as present and entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the approval of a matter. Broker "non-votes" on any matter will not be considered as present and entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the approval of such matter.

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Q:: What is the effect of failing to submit a proxy or vote in person at the shareholders' meeting, or voting to abstain, or not providing my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with voting instructions on approval of each proposal?
A:: Shareholders of Record and Beneficial Owners. Because the votes required to approve the merger agreement and the declassification proposal are both based on the number of outstanding St. Jude Medical shares, if you fail to submit a proxy or attend the shareholders' meeting, or vote to abstain, or you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions, as applicable, it will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" each of these proposals.
: Shareholders of Record. If you are a record holder of St. Jude Medical shares and your shares are present (in person or by proxy) at the shareholders' meeting but you do not vote your shares and attend in person or vote to abstain in person or by proxy, it will have the effect of a vote "AGAINST" each such proposal on which you did not vote or voted to abstain, except in the case of electing directors to the St. Jude Medical board of directors on which failure to vote or abstention will have no effect.
: Except with regards to the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the declassification proposal, if you are the record holder of your St. Jude Medical shares and you fail to submit a proxy or attend the shareholders' meeting, your St. Jude Medical shares will not be voted, but this will not have an effect on the votes to approve these proposals (other than resulting in failure to establish a quorum at the outset of the meeting).
: Beneficial Owners. Except with regards to the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the declassification proposal, if your St. Jude Medical shares are held through a benefit or compensation plan or in street name and you do not instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to

: vote your shares, it will have no effect on approval of the other proposals.
: See the section entitled "Information About the Shareholders' Meeting—Required Vote."
Q:: Why did the St. Jude Medical board of directors approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers?
A:: To review the St. Jude Medical board of directors' reasons for approving and recommending approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, see the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—St. Jude Medical Board of Directors' Recommendations and Reasons for the Mergers."
Q:: What will I receive if the mergers are completed?
A:: If the mergers are completed, each St. Jude Medical share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the first merger will be converted into the right to receive (i) $46.75 in cash and (ii) 0.8708 of an Abbott share, in each case, less any applicable withholding taxes. We refer to (i) and (ii) together as the per share merger consideration. The per share merger consideration is subject to adjustment in certain limited circumstances. See the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Per Share Merger Consideration." We refer to the 0.8708 of an Abbott share as the exchange ratio.
Q:: What happens if I am entitled to receive a fraction of an Abbott share as part of the per share merger consideration?
A:: If the aggregate number of Abbott shares that you are entitled to receive as part of the per share merger consideration includes a fraction of an Abbott share, you will receive cash in respect of that fractional share, as described in the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Effective Times,

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: Effects of the Mergers; Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers."
Q:: What is the value of the per share merger consideration?
A:: The exact value of the per share merger consideration that St. Jude Medical shareholders receive will depend on the price for Abbott shares at the effective time of the first merger, which we refer to as the first effective time. That price will not be known at the time of the shareholders' meeting and may be different than the current price or the price at the time of the shareholders' meeting. Based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to as the NYSE, for Abbott shares of $43.83 on April 27, 2016, the last trading day before public announcement of the mergers, and assuming that the per share merger consideration is not adjusted, the value of the per share merger consideration would be $84.92 for each St. Jude Medical share. Based on the closing price on the NYSE for Abbott shares of $41.87 on September 16, 2016, the latest practicable trading date before the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus, the value of the per share merger consideration would be $83.21 for each St. Jude Medical share. We urge you to obtain current market quotations for Abbott shares and St. Jude Medical shares.
Q:: What will holders of St. Jude Medical equity awards receive in the mergers?
A:: Stock Options. Certain St. Jude Medical options will be deemed exercised upon the occurrence of the mergers, which we refer to as surrendered St. Jude Medical options, and others will be assumed by Abbott and converted into similar Abbott options. Additionally, Abbott may elect to treat some or all St. Jude Medical options which otherwise would be assumed and converted into Abbott options as surrendered St. Jude Medical options, and deem them exercised upon the occurrence of the mergers. See the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—

: Treatment of St. Jude Medical Equity Awards."
: Restricted Share Awards. Each St. Jude Medical restricted share award that is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time will vest as of the first effective time and be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration with respect to each St. Jude Medical share subject to such restricted share award, less applicable withholding taxes.
: Restricted Stock Units. Certain St. Jude Medical restricted stock unit awards, or St. Jude Medical RSU awards, will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration, which we refer to as surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards, and others will be assumed by Abbott and converted into similar Abbott RSU awards. Additionally, Abbott may elect to treat some or all St. Jude Medical RSU awards which otherwise would be assumed and converted into Abbott RSUs as surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards, cancel such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards and convert them into the per share merger consideration. See the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Treatment of St. Jude Medical Equity Awards."
Q:: What will happen to St. Jude Medical as a result of the mergers?
A:: If the mergers are completed, the surviving company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott. As a result of the mergers, St. Jude Medical will no longer be a publicly held company. Following the mergers, St. Jude Medical shares will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the Exchange Act.
Q:: When do you expect the mergers to be completed?
A:: Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions described under the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Mergers",

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: including approval of the merger agreement by St. Jude Medical shareholders at the shareholders' meeting, Abbott and St. Jude Medical expect that the mergers will be completed during the fourth quarter of 2016. However, it is possible that the mergers could be completed at a different time or not at all.
Q:: What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers to St. Jude Medical shareholders?
A:: The mergers, taken together, are intended to qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code. It is a condition to completion of the mergers that each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical receive an opinion of nationally recognized outside counsel, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Accordingly, subject to the limitations, exceptions, representations, assumptions and qualifications described in the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences," U.S. holders (as such term is defined below under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations") of St. Jude Medical shares that receive the per share merger consideration (other than cash received in respect of fractional Abbott shares) in exchange for St. Jude Medical shares pursuant to the first merger will recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount by which the sum of the fair market value of Abbott shares and cash received by the U.S. holder exceeds such U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in its St. Jude Medical shares surrendered and (ii) the amount of cash received by such U.S. holder. A St. Jude Medical shareholder will recognize gain or loss with respect to cash received in respect of a fractional Abbott share measured by the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the tax basis in such fractional share.

: St. Jude Medical shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular tax consequences of the exchange of St. Jude Medical shares for the per share merger consideration in the first merger in light of their particular circumstances (including the application and effect of any state, local or foreign income and other tax laws). For a more detailed discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers to St. Jude Medical shareholders, see the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."
Q:: Assuming the mergers are completed, how will I receive the per share merger consideration to which I am entitled?
A:: For each St. Jude Medical shareholder whose St. Jude Medical shares are held in book-entry form and will be converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration at the first effective time, Abbott will cause the exchange agent to pay and deliver as promptly as practicable after the first effective time (i) the per share merger consideration, (ii) any fractional share cash amount and (iii) any dividends or distributions with respect to Abbott shares with a record date after the first effective time but prior to the time of delivery by the exchange agent, which we refer to as owed dividends or distributions.
: For each St. Jude Medical shareholder of record whose St. Jude Medical shares are held in certificated form, which we refer to as St. Jude Medical share certificates, and will be converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration at the first effective time, Abbott will cause the exchange agent, within four business days after the first effective time, to mail a letter of transmittal and instructions for surrendering such St. Jude Medical share certificates in exchange for the merger consideration. Upon surrender of a certificate representing St. Jude Medical shares and a duly executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent in compliance with the instructions for surrender, Abbott will, in exchange for such certificates, cause the exchange agent to pay

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: and deliver as promptly as practicable (i) the per share merger consideration, (ii) any fractional share cash amount and (iii) the amount of any owed dividends or distributions. Please do not send your St. Jude Medical share certificates with your proxy card.
: See the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Exchange and Payment Procedures."
Q:: Will my Abbott shares received in the first merger receive a dividend?
A:: After the closing of the first merger, as a holder of Abbott shares, you will receive the same dividends on Abbott shares that all other holders of Abbott shares might receive based on a dividend record date that occurs after the mergers are completed.
: While it cannot assure its future financial performance, Abbott anticipates continuing to pay dividends on its shares in the foreseeable future. Most recently, Abbott declared a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per Abbott share, which will be paid on August 15, 2016 to holders of record on July 15, 2016. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Abbott is not permitted to pay any dividends or make any distributions with a record date after the date of the merger agreement and prior to completion of the mergers, other than its regular quarterly cash dividends on its shares in amounts consistent with past practice and declared and paid in a manner consistent with prior timing. See the section entitled "Comparative Per Share Market Price and Dividend Information" for a comparison of the historical dividend practices of Abbott and St. Jude Medical.
Q:: If the merger agreement is approved and the mergers are completed, will the other proposals to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting be binding on Abbott or the surviving company after completion of the mergers?
A:: If the merger agreement is approved and, upon satisfaction of all necessary conditions,

: the mergers are completed, none of the other proposals (regardless of whether they were approved) will impose any continuing obligations on Abbott or the surviving company.
Q:: Why am I being asked to consider and vote on a proposal to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, certain compensation arrangements for St. Jude Medical's named executive officers generally and in connection with the merger?
A:: Under SEC rules, St. Jude Medical is required to seek an advisory (non-binding) vote with respect to the shareholders' compensation of its named executive officers in 2015 and with respect to compensation that may be paid or become payable to its named executive officers that is based on, or otherwise relates to, the mergers.
Q:: What will happen if St. Jude Medical shareholders do not approve the merger-related compensation proposal?
A:: Approval of the compensation that may be paid or become payable to St. Jude Medical's named executive officers that is based on, or otherwise relates to, the mergers is not a condition to completion of the mergers. The vote is an advisory vote and will not be binding on St. Jude Medical or the surviving company after the mergers. If the mergers are completed, the merger-related compensation may be paid to St. Jude Medical's named executive officers to the extent payable in accordance with the terms of their compensation agreements and arrangements even if St. Jude Medical shareholders do not approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, the merger-related compensation.
Q:: Do any of St. Jude Medical's directors or executive officers have interests in the merger that may differ from those of St. Jude Medical shareholders?
A:: St. Jude Medical's non-employee directors and executive officers have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or

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: in addition to, the interests of St. Jude Medical shareholders generally. The St. Jude Medical board of directors was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating the merger agreement and the merger, and in recommending that St. Jude Medical shareholders approve the merger agreement. For a description of these interests, refer to the section entitled "Interests of St. Jude Medical's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers."
Q:: Who can vote at the shareholders' meeting?
A:: All holders of record of St. Jude Medical shares as of the close of business on September 16, 2016, the record date for the shareholders' meeting, which we refer to as the record date, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the shareholders' meeting. Each holder of St. Jude Medical shares is entitled to cast one vote on each matter properly brought before the shareholders' meeting for each St. Jude Medical share that such holder owned of record as of the record date.
Q:: When and where is the shareholders' meeting?
A:: The shareholders' meeting will be held on October 26, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time), at the Minnesota History Center located at 345 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55102. The location is accessible to handicapped persons. If you wish to attend the meeting in person, you will need to register for the shareholders' meeting and print your admission ticket at www.proxyvote.com. An admission ticket and a form of valid government-issued photo identification must be presented in order to be admitted to the shareholders' meeting.
Q:: What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
A:: You are a "shareholder of record" if your shares are registered directly in your name with St. Jude Medical's transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services. As the

: shareholder of record, you have the right to vote in person at the shareholders' meeting. You may also vote by Internet or telephone, as described in the notice and below under the heading "How do I vote?" You are deemed to beneficially own shares in "street name" if your shares are held by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee or other similar organization. Your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee will send you, as the beneficial owner, a package describing the procedure for voting your shares. You should follow the instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to vote your shares. You are invited to attend the shareholders' meeting; however, you may not vote your shares in person at the shareholders' meeting unless you obtain a "legal proxy" from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the shareholders' meeting.
Q:: If my St. Jude Medical shares are held in street name by my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, will my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee automatically vote those shares for me?
A:: Absent voting instructions from a beneficial holder, under the rules of the NYSE, banks, brokerage firms and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on "non-routine" matters. Therefore, if you do not instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee how to vote, your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee will not be permitted to vote your St. Jude Medical shares on any of the proposals to be considered at the shareholders' meeting, except for the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016.
: When a bank, brokerage firm returns a valid proxy but has not received voting instructions and does not have or discretionary authority to vote on a particular proposal, a so-called broker "non-vote" occurs.

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A broker "non-vote" will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" approval of the merger agreement and "AGAINST" the declassification proposal. However, not instructing your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee will not have an effect on approval of the other proposals to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting.

To assure your shares are voted on all of the proposals to be considered at the shareholders' meeting, you should follow the procedures provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee regarding the voting of your St. Jude Medical shares.

Q:

How many votes do I have?

A:

Each St. Jude Medical shareholder is entitled to one vote for each St. Jude Medical share held of record as of the close of business on the record date.

As of the close of business on the record date, there were 285,587,582 St. Jude Medical shares outstanding. As summarized above, there are some important distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially in street name.

Q:

How do I vote?

A:

Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record, you can vote in the following ways:

•: By Internet: by following the Internet voting instructions on the notice or proxy card at any time up until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 25, 2016;
•: By Telephone: by following the telephone voting instructions included in the notice or proxy card at any time up until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 25, 2016; or
•: By Mail: by marking, dating and signing your proxy card in accordance with the instructions on it and returning it by mail in the preaddressed reply envelope provided with the proxy materials. The proxy card must be received prior to the shareholders' meeting.

•: In Person: If you satisfy the admission requirements to the shareholders' meeting, as described above under the heading "When and where is the shareholders' meeting?", you may vote your shares in person at the meeting. Even if you plan to attend the shareholders' meeting, we encourage you to vote in advance by Internet, telephone or mail so that your vote will be counted in the event you later decide not to attend the shareholders' meeting.

Beneficial Owners. If your St. Jude Medical shares are held through a benefit or compensation plan or in street name, your plan trustee or your bank, broker or other nominee should give you instructions for voting your shares; however, the due dates for providing your vote to your plan trustee or your bank, broker or other nominee may differ from those set out in this proxy statement/prospectus for record holders. You should follow the instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to vote your shares. If you satisfy the admission requirements to the shareholders' meeting, as described above under the heading "When and where is the shareholders' meeting?", you may attend the shareholders' meeting; however, you may not vote your shares in person at the shareholders' meeting unless you obtain a "legal proxy" from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the shareholders' meeting. Shares held through a benefit or compensation plan cannot be voted in person at the shareholders' meeting.

Q:

How can I change or revoke my vote?

A:

If you are a shareholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy by:

•: filing a written statement to that effect with St. Jude Medical's corporate secretary, at or before the taking of the vote at the shareholders' meeting;

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•: voting again via the Internet or telephone at a later time before the closing of those voting facilities at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 25, 2016;
•: submitting a properly signed proxy card with a later date that is received at or prior to the shareholders' meeting; or
•: attending the shareholders' meeting, revoking your proxy and voting in person.

: The written statement or subsequent proxy should be delivered to St. Jude Medical, Inc., One St. Jude Medical Drive, St. Paul, MN 55117, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or hand delivered to the Corporate Secretary, before the taking of the vote at the shareholders' meeting. If you are a beneficial owner and hold shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker, bank or other nominee. You may also change your vote or revoke your voting instructions in person at the shareholders' meeting if you obtain a signed proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee giving you the right to vote the shares.
Q:: If a shareholder gives a proxy, how are the St. Jude Medical shares voted?
A:: Regardless of the method you choose to vote, the individuals named on the enclosed proxy card will vote your St. Jude Medical shares in the way that you indicate. When completing the Internet or telephone processes or the proxy card, you may specify whether your St. Jude Medical shares should be voted "FOR" or "AGAINST" or to "ABSTAIN" from voting on all, some or none of the specific items of business to come before the shareholders' meeting.
: If you properly sign your proxy card but do not mark the boxes showing how your shares should be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your properly signed proxy will be voted "FOR" approval of the merger agreement, "AGAINST" the

: shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting if properly presented at the meeting and "FOR" all of the other proposals to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting as listed in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Q:: What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
A:: If you hold St. Jude Medical shares in street name and also directly as a record holder or if you hold St. Jude Medical shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive more than one set of voting materials relating to the shareholders' meeting. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card (or cast your vote by telephone or Internet as provided on your proxy card) or otherwise follow the voting instructions provided in this proxy statement/prospectus in order to ensure that all of your St. Jude Medical shares are voted. If you hold your shares in "street name" through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you should follow the procedures provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to vote your shares.
Q:: What happens if I sell my St. Jude Medical shares either before the shareholders' meeting or after the shareholders' meeting but before the first effective time?
A:: The record date is earlier than both the date of the shareholders' meeting and the first effective time. If you transfer your St. Jude Medical shares after the close of business on the record date but before the shareholders' meeting, you will, unless the transferee requests a proxy from you, retain your right to vote at the shareholders' meeting but will transfer the right to receive the per share merger consideration to the person to whom you transfer your shares. In order to receive the per share merger consideration, you must hold your shares at the first effective time.

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Q:: Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies?
A:: St. Jude Medical has engaged Innisfree M&A Incorporated at an estimated cost of $50,000, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses, to assist in the solicitation of proxies from brokers, nominees, institutions and individuals. Proxies may also be solicited on St. Jude Medical's behalf by St. Jude Medical's directors, officers or employees (for no additional compensation). Arrangements will also be made with custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding a notice or printed proxy materials, as applicable, to beneficial owners of shares held of record by such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, and St. Jude Medical will reimburse such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Q:: Where can I find the voting results of the shareholders' meeting?
A:: The preliminary voting results will be announced at the shareholders' meeting. In addition, within four business days following certification of the final voting results, St. Jude Medical intends to file the final voting results with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Q:: Am I entitled to exercise dissenters' rights instead of receiving the per share merger consideration for my St. Jude Medical shares?
A:: St. Jude Medical shareholders who do not vote in favor of the mergers are entitled to dissenters' rights under Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, which we refer to as the MBCA, provided they follow the procedures and satisfy the conditions set forth in Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA (and any procedures set out by St. Jude Medical in accordance with such sections, including, among other things, surrendering of stock certificates or compliance with transfer restrictions). For more information regarding dissenters'

: rights, see the section entitled "Dissenters' Rights of St. Jude Medical Shareholders". In addition, a copy of Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA are attached as Annex F to this proxy statement/prospectus.
Q:: Are there any risks that I should consider in deciding whether to vote for approval of the merger agreement?
A:: Yes. You should read and carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors." You also should read and carefully consider the risk factors of Abbott and St. Jude Medical contained in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.
Q:: What are the conditions to completion of the mergers?
A:: In addition to the approval of the merger agreement by St. Jude Medical shareholders as described above, completion of the mergers is subject to the satisfaction of a number of other conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, which we refer to as the HSR Act, and all applicable filings, registrations, waiting periods (or extensions thereof) and approvals under each applicable competition law of specified jurisdictions relating to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement must have been made, expired, terminated or obtained, as the case may be. Additionally, among other things, completion of the mergers is conditioned on the accuracy of representations and warranties made in the merger agreement (subject to the materiality standards set forth in the merger agreement), Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's performance of all of their respective obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects, the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part (and the absence of any stop order by the SEC),

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: approval of the listing on the NYSE of the Abbott shares to be issued in the first merger, the absence of an injunction or other order prohibiting the mergers, the absence of a material adverse effect (as defined in the merger agreement) on either St. Jude Medical or Abbott and the receipt by each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical of an opinion of nationally recognized outside counsel, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
: For a more complete summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the merger, see the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Mergers."
Q:: What happens if the mergers are not completed?
A:: If the merger agreement is not approved by St. Jude Medical shareholders or if the mergers are not completed for any other reason, St. Jude Medical shareholders will not receive any consideration for their St. Jude Medical shares. Instead, St. Jude Medical will remain an independent public

: company and St. Jude Medical shares will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE and registered under the Exchange Act. St. Jude Medical is required to pay Abbott a termination fee of $685 million if the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances. For a more complete summary of the circumstances in which St. Jude Medical will be required to pay a termination fee to Abbott if the mergers are not completed, see the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement—Termination Fee".
Q:: Who can help answer any other questions I have?
A:: If you have additional questions about the mergers or merger agreement, need assistance in submitting your proxy or voting your St. Jude Medical shares, or need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, please contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated, St. Jude Medical's proxy solicitor, by calling (877) 456-3524 (toll-free for shareholders) or (212) 750-5833 (collect for banks and brokers).

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SUMMARY

The following summary highlights selected information in this proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all the information that may be important to you as a St. Jude Medical shareholder. Accordingly, we encourage you to read carefully this entire proxy statement/prospectus, its annexes and the documents referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus. Each item in this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that topic. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus without charge by following the instructions under the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information".

The Parties to the Mergers

(Page 50)

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

St. Jude Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a leading global medical device manufacturer and is dedicated to transforming the treatment of some of the world's most expensive epidemic diseases. St. Jude Medical does this by developing cost-effective medical technologies that save and improve lives of patients around the world. St. Jude Medical employs approximately 18,000 people worldwide and has five major areas of focus that include heart failure, atrial fibrillation, neuromodulation, traditional cardiac rhythm management and cardiovascular. St. Jude Medical shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "STJ."

Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 74,000 people. Abbott shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "ABT." Abbott shares are also listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange and traded on various regional and electronic exchanges. Outside of the United States, Abbott shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange. The ticker symbol for Abbott shares on such other exchanges is also "ABT."

Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC

Vault Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Vault Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, are each wholly owned subsidiaries of Abbott and were formed solely for the purpose of facilitating the mergers. Neither Vault Merger Sub, Inc. nor Vault Merger Sub, LLC has carried on any activities or operations to date, except for those activities incidental to their formation and undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The Mergers and the Merger Agreement

(Pages 51, 86 and Annex A)

The terms and conditions of the mergers are contained in the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety, as it is the legal document that governs the mergers.

Pursuant to and subject to the limitations contained in the merger agreement, two mergers will occur: Vault Merger Sub, Inc. will merge with and into St. Jude Medical, with St. Jude Medical surviving the first merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott, and promptly thereafter St. Jude Medical will merge with and into Vault Merger Sub, LLC, with Vault Merger Sub, LLC surviving the second merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott.

Per Share Merger Consideration

(Page 51)

Upon completion of the first merger, each St. Jude Medical share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time

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(other than those shares owned by Abbott or by any subsidiary of Abbott or of St. Jude Medical, or with respect to which dissenters' rights have been properly exercised in accordance with the MBCA) will automatically be converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration. The per share merger consideration is subject to adjustment in certain limited circumstances and cash will be paid in respect of any fractional Abbott shares to which a St. Jude Medical shareholder would otherwise be entitled. See the sections entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Per Share Merger Consideration" and "The Merger Agreement—Effective Times, Effects of the Mergers; Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers."

In the event that, prior to the first effective time, the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares or Abbott shares are changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares, readjustment, or other similar transaction, or a stock dividend thereon is declared with a record date within said period, then the exchange ratio will be appropriately adjusted to provide St. Jude Medical's shareholders and equity award holders the same economic effect as prior to the event.

Treatment of St. Jude Medical Equity Awards

(Page 90)

Treatment of Stock Options

As described below, certain St. Jude Medical options will be deemed exercised upon the occurrence of the mergers and others will be assumed by Abbott and converted into similar Abbott options. Additionally, Abbott may elect to treat some or all St. Jude Medical options which otherwise would be assumed and converted into Abbott options as surrendered St. Jude Medical options and deem them exercised upon the occurrence of the mergers.

Each surrendered St. Jude Medical option will be deemed exercised pursuant to a cashless exercise and settled by the deemed issuance of a number of St. Jude Medical shares (rounded

down to the nearest whole share, but with any partial shares otherwise issuable settled in cash) equal to the difference of (i) the number of St. Jude Medical shares subject to such surrendered St. Jude Medical option as of immediately prior to the first effective time minus (ii) the number of whole and partial (computed to the nearest four decimal places) St. Jude Medical shares that, when multiplied by the "Fair Market Value" (as defined in the applicable plan providing for such award), is equal to the aggregate exercise price of such surrendered St. Jude Medical option. Each St. Jude Medical share deemed issued pursuant to the deemed option exercise will be converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration, less applicable withholding taxes.

Additionally, each option to purchase St. Jude Medical shares granted under a St. Jude Medical share plan and any other compensatory option to purchase St. Jude Medical shares (excluding any option granted under certain employee stock purchase plans) that is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time and is not a surrendered St. Jude Medical option will be assumed by Abbott and converted into an option to acquire, on substantially the same terms and conditions, a number of Abbott shares equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole share) of (i) the number of St. Jude Medical shares subject to such option multiplied by (ii) the stock award exchange ratio (as defined in the merger agreement), at an exercise price per Abbott share equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of (a) the per share exercise price for the St. Jude Medical shares subject to such assumed option as of immediately prior to the first effective time divided by (b) the stock award exchange ratio. Further, the vesting of each such converted option, to the extent then unvested, will accelerate in full upon the second anniversary of the first effective time if the holder of such award remains employed with Abbott or any of its subsidiaries through such date.

Treatment of Restricted Share Awards

Each St. Jude Medical restricted share award that is outstanding immediately prior to

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the first effective time will vest as of the first effective time and be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration with respect to each St. Jude Medical share subject to such restricted share award, less applicable withholding taxes.

Treatment of Restricted Stock Units

As described below, certain St. Jude Medical restricted stock unit awards, or St. Jude Medical RSU awards, will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration and others will be assumed by Abbott and converted into similar Abbott RSUs. Additionally, Abbott may elect to treat some or all St. Jude Medical RSU awards which otherwise would be assumed and converted into Abbott RSUs as surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards, cancel such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards and convert them into the per share merger consideration.

At the first effective time, each surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU award will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration (or, with respect to such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards that are settled in cash under their existing terms, the cash equivalent thereof) with respect to each St. Jude Medical share subject to such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards, less applicable withholding taxes.

Additionally, at the first effective time, each St. Jude Medical RSU award that (i) is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time and (ii) is not a surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU award will be assumed by Abbott and converted into an Abbott RSU award, with substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such St. Jude Medical RSU award, for a number of Abbott shares equal to the product (rounded to the nearest whole share) of (a) the number of St. Jude Medical shares subject to such St. Jude Medical RSU award multiplied by (b) the stock award exchange ratio (as defined in the merger agreement). Further, the vesting of each such assumed RSU award, to the extent then unvested, will accelerate in full upon the second anniversary of the first effective time if the

holder of such award remains employed by Abbott or any of its subsidiaries. Upon vesting, settlement will occur at such time as is permitted by applicable law and will be subject to applicable withholding taxes.

Financing of the Mergers

(Page 81)

Abbott expects to fund the cash portion of this transaction with available cash and a combination of medium- and long-term debt.

Abbott has obtained a debt commitment letter, which we refer to as the debt commitment letter, from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, N.A., and certain other financial institutions which we refer to as the commitment parties, pursuant to which the commitment parties have agreed to provide a $17.2 billion senior unsecured bridge facility, which we refer to as the bridge facility. The bridge facility is comprised of two tranches: (i) a $15.2 billion, 364-day unsecured bridge term loan tranche and (ii) a $2.0 billion, 120-day unsecured bridge term loan tranche.

The obligation of the commitment parties to provide debt financing under the debt commitment letter is subject to a number of conditions. Abbott's obligation to complete the mergers is not conditioned upon the receipt of any financing.

St. Jude Medical Board of Directors' Recommendation and Reasons for the Mergers

(Page 56)

After careful consideration, the St. Jude Medical board of directors unanimously recommends that St. Jude Medical shareholders vote (1) "FOR" the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, (2) "FOR" the proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in connection with the mergers and the agreements and understandings pursuant to which such compensation may be paid or become payable, and (3) "FOR" the proposal to adjourn the St. Jude Medical annual meeting, if

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necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement. For a more complete discussion of the factors that the St. Jude Medical board of directors considered, see "Proposal 1: The Mergers—St. Jude Medical Board of Directors Recommendation and Reasons for the Mergers."

Opinion of St. Jude Medical's Financial Advisor

(Page 60 and Annex E)

St. Jude Medical retained Guggenheim Securities, LLC (which we refer to as Guggenheim Securities) to act as its financial advisor in connection with the potential sale of St. Jude Medical. Guggenheim Securities delivered an opinion to the St. Jude Medical board of directors to the effect that, as of April 27, 2016 and based on the matters considered, the procedures followed, the assumptions made and various limitations of and qualifications to the review undertaken, the per share merger consideration to be received in the first merger by holders of St. Jude Medical common stock was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The full text of Guggenheim Securities' written opinion, which is attached as Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus and which you should read carefully and in its entirety, is subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and other conditions contained in such opinion and is necessarily based on economic, capital markets and other conditions, and the information made available to Guggenheim Securities, as of the date of such opinion.

Guggenheim Securities' opinion was provided to the St. Jude Medical board of directors (in its capacity as such) for its information and assistance in connection with its evaluation of the per share merger consideration. Guggenheim Securities' opinion and any materials provided in connection therewith did not constitute a recommendation to the St. Jude Medical board of directors with respect to the mergers, nor does Guggenheim Securities' opinion constitute advice or a recommendation to any shareholder as to how to vote in connection with the mergers or

otherwise. Guggenheim Securities' opinion addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of its date, of the per share merger consideration to the extent expressly specified in Guggenheim Securities' opinion and Guggenheim Securities did not express any view or opinion as to any other term, aspect or implication of the mergers or the merger agreement (including, without limitation, the form or structure of the mergers or the potential adjustment to the aggregate cash consideration as set forth in the merger agreement) or any other agreement, transaction document or instrument contemplated by the merger agreement or to be entered into or amended in connection with the mergers. For a description of the opinion that the St. Jude Medical board of directors received from Guggenheim Securities, see "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Opinion of St. Jude Medical's Financial Advisor."

Information About the Shareholders' Meeting

(Page 46)

Time, Place and Purpose of the Shareholders' Meeting

St. Jude Medical's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which we refer to as the shareholders' meeting, is being convened to, among other things, vote upon approval of the merger agreement and will be held on October 26, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time). The meeting will be held at the Minnesota History Center, located at 345 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55102. The location is accessible to handicapped persons.

Attendance at the shareholders' meeting will be limited to St. Jude Medical shareholders as of the close of business on the record date or their authorized representatives. If you wish to attend the meeting in person, you will need to register for the shareholders' meeting and print your admission ticket at www.proxyvote.com. An admission ticket and a form of valid government-issued photo identification must be presented in order to be admitted to the shareholders' meeting. See the section entitled "Information About the Shareholders' Meeting."

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At the shareholders' meeting, St. Jude Medical shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon: Proposal 1 to approve the merger agreement; Proposal 2 to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, certain compensation arrangements for St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in connection with the mergers contemplated by the merger agreement; Proposal 3 to elect three members to the St. Jude Medical board of directors for terms ending in 2019; Proposal 4 to approve by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation of St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in 2015; Proposal 5 to approve the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan; Proposal 6 to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation and bylaws to declassify the St. Jude Medical board of directors; Proposal 7 to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's bylaws to implement proxy access; Proposal 8 to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016; Proposal 9 for adjournment of the shareholders' meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the shareholders' meeting to approve the merger agreement; Proposal 10, a shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting if properly presented at the meeting; and any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

However, if the mergers are completed, none of the other proposals (regardless of whether they were approved) will impose any continuing obligations on Abbott or the surviving company.

Record Date and Quorum

You are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the shareholders' meeting if you are an owner of record of St. Jude Medical shares as of the close of business on September 16, 2016, the record date for the shareholders' meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, there were 285,587,582 St. Jude Medical shares outstanding and entitled to vote. You will have one vote on all matters properly coming before the shareholders' meeting for each St. Jude

Medical share that you owned on the record date.

The presence, in person or represented by proxy, of holders of a majority of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the shareholders' meeting. Abstentions and broker "non-votes" are considered present for the purpose of establishing a quorum for transaction of business at the shareholders' meeting.

Required Vote

Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon.

Approval of the declassification proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon.

Generally, the election of directors requires that the number of votes cast "FOR" a director exceeds the number of votes cast "AGAINST" the election of that director, so long as a quorum is present at the outset of the meeting. However, in a contested election, where the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

The approval of each other proposal to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the St. Jude Medical shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on such proposal, so long as the total number of shares voted in favor of such proposal is greater than 25% of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon and a quorum is present.

Except with regards to the proposal to elect directors, abstentions will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote in determination of the approval of such matter. Broker "non-votes" on any matter will not be considered as present and entitled to vote for

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the purpose of determining the approval of such matter.

Shareholders of Record and Beneficial Owners. Because each of the affirmative votes required to approve the merger agreement and to approve the declassification proposal is based on the total number of outstanding St. Jude Medical shares, if you fail to submit a proxy or to attend the shareholders' meeting, or vote to abstain, or you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions, as applicable, it will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" approval of each of these proposals.

If you submit a proxy but do not indicate how you wish to vote on a proposal, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted "FOR" approval of the merger agreement, "AGAINST" the shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting if properly presented at the meeting and "FOR" each other proposal to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting as listed in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Shareholders of Record. If you are a record holder of St. Jude Medical shares and your shares are present at the shareholders' meeting (whether due to your presence at the meeting or representation of your shares by proxy at the meeting) but your shares are not voted in person or are voted to abstain, this will have the effect of a vote "AGAINST" each such proposal on which you did not vote in person or voted to abstain, except in the case of a vote to abstain on the proposal to elect three members to the St. Jude Medical board of directors for terms ending in June 2019, which will have no effect on the approval of such proposal.

Except with regards to the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the proposal to amend St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation and bylaws to declassify the St. Jude Medical board of directors, if you are the record holder of your St. Jude Medical shares and you fail to submit a proxy or attend the shareholders' meeting, your St. Jude Medical shares will not be voted, but this will not have an effect on the votes to approve the proposals to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting (other than resulting in failure to establish a quorum at the outset of the meeting).

Beneficial Owners. Except with regards to the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the declassification proposal, if your St. Jude Medical shares are held through a benefit or compensation plan or in street name and you do not instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to vote your shares, it will have no effect on approval of the proposals to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting. Your shares will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purpose of establishing a quorum for transaction of business at the shareholders' meeting. See the section entitled, "Information About the Shareholders' Meeting—Vote Required."

Proxies and Revocations

Any shareholder of record entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting may submit a proxy by telephone, over the Internet, by returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying prepaid reply envelope or may vote in person by appearing at the shareholders' meeting. If your St. Jude Medical shares are held in "street name" through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you should instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee on how to vote your St. Jude Medical shares using the instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. If you fail to submit a proxy or to vote in person at the shareholders' meeting, or do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions as to how to vote your shares, as applicable, it will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" approval of the merger agreement and approval of the declassification proposal.

You have the right to revoke a proxy, whether delivered over the Internet, by telephone or by mail, at any time before it is exercised, by voting again at a later date through any of the methods available to you, by attending the shareholders' meeting and voting in person, or by giving written notice of revocation to St. Jude Medical prior to the time the shareholders' meeting begins. Written notice of revocation should be mailed to: St. Jude Medical, Inc., One St. Jude Medical Drive, St. Paul, MN 55117, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

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Interests of St. Jude Medical's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers

(Page 111)

Non-employee directors and executive officers of St. Jude Medical have certain interests in the mergers that may be different from or in addition to the general interests of St. Jude Medical shareholders. These interests include, among others, potential severance benefits and other payments, the treatment of outstanding equity awards pursuant to the merger agreement and rights to ongoing indemnification and insurance coverage. The St. Jude Medical board of directors was aware of and considered those interests, among other matters, in reaching its decision to (i) approve the mergers and the other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) adopt, approve and declare advisable the merger agreement, and (iii) resolve to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement to St. Jude Medical shareholders. See the section entitled "Interests of St. Jude Medical's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers" for a more detailed description of these interests.

At the close of business on the record date, the percentage of outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote held by St. Jude Medical's directors, executive officers and their affiliates was 2.46%, and the percentage of outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote held by Abbott's directors, executive officers and their affiliates was 0%. Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon.

Regulatory Approvals

(Page 82)

Completion of the mergers is conditioned upon (i) the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and (ii) all applicable filings, registrations, waiting periods (or extensions thereof) and approvals under each applicable competition law of specified jurisdictions having been made, expired, terminated or obtained, as the case may be.

Dissenters' Rights of St. Jude Medical Shareholders

(Page 223)

If the merger agreement is approved and the first merger becomes effective, holders of St. Jude Medical shares who do not vote in favor of approval of the merger agreement will be entitled to statutory dissenters' rights provided they follow the procedures and satisfy the conditions set forth in Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA (and any procedures set out by St. Jude Medical in accordance with such sections, including, among other things, surrendering of stock certificates or compliance with transfer restrictions). For a description of the rights of such St. Jude Medical shareholders and of the procedures that must be followed in order to assert such rights and obtain payment of the "fair value" of their St. Jude Medical shares, see Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA, copies of which are attached as Annex F, as well as the information in the section entitled "Dissenters' Rights of St. Jude Medical Shareholders."

IN ORDER TO PERFECT DISSENTERS' RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE MERGERS, A ST. JUDE MEDICAL SHAREHOLDER MUST SEND A NOTICE TO ST. JUDE MEDICAL BEFORE THE VOTE IS TAKEN ON THE PROPOSED MERGERS AND MUST NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE MERGERS BY PROXY OR OTHERWISE.

Conditions to Completion of the Mergers

(Page 105)

In addition to the approval of the merger agreement by St. Jude Medical shareholders as described above, completion of the mergers is subject to the satisfaction of a number of other conditions, including the regulatory approvals described above.

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performance of all of their respective obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects, the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part (and the absence of any stop order by the SEC), approval of the listing on the NYSE of the Abbott shares to be issued in the first merger, the absence of an injunction or other order prohibiting the mergers, the absence of a material adverse effect (as defined in the merger agreement) on either St. Jude Medical or Abbott and the receipt by each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical of an opinion of nationally recognized outside counsel, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

Neither St. Jude Medical nor Abbott can be certain when, or if, the conditions to the mergers will be satisfied or waived, or that the mergers will be completed. For a more complete summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the mergers, see the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Mergers."

No Solicitation

(Page 98)

As more fully described in this proxy statement/prospectus and in the merger agreement, and subject to the exceptions summarized below, St. Jude Medical has agreed that it will not (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage any inquiry, proposal or indication of interest or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, a company acquisition proposal (as defined in the merger agreement), (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, a company acquisition proposal, (iii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, or execute or enter into any alternative acquisition agreement (as defined in the merger agreement), (iv) enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or

negotiations regarding any company acquisition proposal, or (v) agree to do any of the foregoing actions.

However, if the following conditions are met, St. Jude Medical is permitted, in response to receipt of a company acquisition proposal, to furnish information with respect to St. Jude Medical and its subsidiaries and engage in discussions or negotiations with a person or persons making such company acquisition proposal:

•: the company acquisition proposal: (i) must be written and bona fide, (ii) must have been made after the date of the merger agreement, (iii) must have been received prior to obtaining approval of the merger agreement by the St. Jude Medical shareholders, and (iv) must not have resulted from breach of the non-solicitation covenant; and
•: the St. Jude Medical board of directors must determine in good faith, after consultation with St. Jude Medical's outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, (i) that the company acquisition proposal is or is reasonably expected to lead to a superior proposal (as defined in the merger agreement) and (ii) that a failure to furnish information in response to or engage in discussions or negotiations related to the company acquisition proposal is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with St. Jude Medical's directors' fiduciary duties.

Additionally, prior to furnishing such information, St. Jude Medical must (i) enter into an acceptable confidentiality agreement (as defined in the merger agreement) with the person or persons making the company acquisition proposal and (ii) promptly (and in any event within 24 hours) following furnishing any such nonpublic information to such person, furnish such nonpublic information to Abbott (to the extent such nonpublic information has not been previously so furnished to Abbott or its representatives).

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No Change in Recommendation or Entry into Alternative Acquisition Agreement

(Page 100)

Subject to certain exceptions described below, the St. Jude Medical board of directors may not:

•: effect a company adverse recommendation change (as defined in the merger agreement); or
•: cause or permit St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries to enter into an alternative acquisition agreement (as defined in the merger agreement).

Fiduciary Exception

However, at any time before the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval is obtained, St. Jude Medical may, subject to the conditions described in the next sentence, (i) make a company adverse recommendation change or (ii) cause St. Jude Medical to enter into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a company acquisition proposal that did not result from a breach of the covenants regarding (a) non-solicitation, (b) no change of recommendation and (c) entry into an alternative acquisition agreement and terminate the merger agreement. St. Jude Medical may take the actions described in the preceding sentence if and only if, the St. Jude Medical board of directors concludes in good faith, after consultation with St. Jude Medical's outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that (i), in the case of a proposed company adverse recommendation change not made in response to a company acquisition proposal, failure to take such action is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the St. Jude Medical directors' fiduciary duties or (ii), in the case of a proposed company adverse recommendation change in response to, or entering into a proposed alternative acquisition agreement with respect to, a company acquisition proposal, such company acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal and failure to take such action is

reasonably likely to be inconsistent with St. Jude Medical's directors' fiduciary duties. However, prior to making any company adverse recommendation change and/or causing St. Jude Medical to enter into any alternative acquisition agreement, St. Jude Medical must (i) provide Abbott five calendar days' prior written notice, (ii) during such five calendar days, negotiate in good faith with Abbott regarding any revisions or changes to the merger agreement or the mergers proposed by Abbott; and (iii) after such five calendar days, have its board of directors conclude in good faith (after consultation with financial advisors and outside legal counsel) that the company acquisition proposal continues to be a superior proposal or that failure to make the company adverse recommendation change is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the St. Jude Medical directors' fiduciary duties and, in each case, that failure to make a company adverse recommendation change would continue to be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the St. Jude Medical board of directors' fiduciary duties. In the event of any change in the financial terms of or any material amendment or modification to any superior proposal or, if the proposed company adverse recommendation change does not relate to a company acquisition proposal, any material change to the underlying relevant facts and circumstances, St. Jude Medical must again satisfy the notice and other requirements set out in the preceding sentence, except that the five calendar day period will instead be the longer of (i) two calendar days or (ii) the amount of time remaining in the initial five calendar day period.

In the event there is a company adverse recommendation change made in compliance with the merger agreement and in response to a superior proposal, St. Jude Medical may only enter into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to the superior proposal by concurrently terminating the merger agreement and paying Abbott a $685 million termination fee. We refer to this termination right as the fiduciary termination right.

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Termination of the Merger Agreement

(Page 107)

Termination

The merger agreement may be terminated and abandoned at any time prior to the first effective time, whether before or after any approval of the mergers by the holders of St. Jude Medical shares:

•: by mutual written consent of St. Jude Medical and Abbott;
•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott if the first merger has not been consummated on or prior to April 27, 2017, which we refer to as the end date (or, if all of the conditions to closing, other than certain conditions relating to competition laws, have been satisfied or are capable of being satisfied at such time, the end date may be extended by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott to July 27, 2017);
•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott, if an order by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction has been issued permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the mergers or the issuance of Abbott shares as merger consideration and such order has become final and nonappealable;
•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott, if the shareholder approval has not been obtained after a vote on the merger agreement proposal has been taken at the St. Jude Medical shareholders' meeting (including any postponement or adjournment of the shareholders' meeting);
•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott if the other party has materially breached or failed to perform any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement and such breach or failure (i) would result in the failure of specified conditions to closing and (ii) is not curable by the end date, or if capable of being cured by the end date, such party has not commenced good-faith efforts to cure the breach or failure within thirty calendar days

: following (or the breach or failure is not cured within sixty calendar days following) receipt by the party of written notice from the other party of such breach or failure;
•: by Abbott, if a company adverse recommendation change occurs; or
•: by St. Jude Medical in accordance with the provisions in the merger agreement regarding its fiduciary termination right in connection with a superior proposal.

Termination Fee

St. Jude Medical will pay Abbott a termination fee of $685 million if the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances involving a company acquisition proposal.

Accounting Treatment

(Page 83)

Abbott prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which we refer to as GAAP. The mergers will be accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Abbott will be treated as the acquiror for accounting purposes.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

(Page 186)

The mergers, taken together, are intended to qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. It is a condition to completion of the mergers that each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical receive an opinion of nationally recognized outside counsel, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Accordingly, subject to the limitations, exceptions, representations, assumptions and qualifications described in the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences," U.S. holders (as such term is defined below under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations") of St. Jude Medical shares that receive the per share merger consideration (other than cash received in respect of fractional Abbott shares) in exchange for St. Jude Medical

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shares pursuant to the first merger will recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount by which the sum of the fair market value of Abbott shares and cash received by the U.S. holder exceeds such U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in its St. Jude Medical shares surrendered and (ii) the amount of cash received by such U.S. holder. A St. Jude Medical shareholder will recognize gain or loss with respect to cash received in respect of a fractional Abbott share measured by the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the tax basis in such fractional share.

St. Jude Medical shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular tax consequences of the exchange of St. Jude Medical shares for the per share merger consideration pursuant to the first merger in light of their particular circumstances (including the application and effect of any state, local or foreign income and other tax laws). For a more detailed discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers to U.S. holders of St. Jude Medical shares, please see the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."

Comparison of Shareholders' Rights

(Page 207)

The rights of St. Jude Medical shareholders are governed by St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation and bylaws, and Minnesota law, including the MBCA. Your rights as a shareholder of Abbott will be governed by Abbott's restated articles of incorporation and by-laws, and Illinois law, including the Illinois Business Corporation Act, as amended, which we refer to as the IBCA. Your rights under Abbott's restated articles of incorporation, Abbott's by-laws and Illinois law, including the IBCA, will differ in some respects from your rights under St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation, St. Jude Medical's bylaws and Minnesota law, including the MBCA. For more detailed information regarding a comparison of your rights as a shareholder of St. Jude Medical and Abbott, see the section entitled "Comparison of Shareholders' Rights."

Litigation Related to the Mergers

(Page 83)

On May 2, 2016, Stephen Silverman filed a putative class action complaint in the Minnesota District Court, Second Judicial District (Ramsey County), entitled Silverman v. St. Jude Medical, et al., Case No. 62-CV-16-2872, against St. Jude Medical, the members of the St. Jude Medical board of directors, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc., and Vault Merger Sub, LLC. Plaintiff alleges that the members of the St. Jude Medical board of directors breached their fiduciary duties to St. Jude Medical shareholders by entering into the merger agreement, and that Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC aided and abetted that breach of duty. The plaintiff alleges, among other things, that (a) the per share merger consideration is inadequate; (b) there is no "collar" on the stock component of the merger consideration such that the value of the transaction has declined as the market price for Abbott shares has declined since the transaction was announced; (c) St. Jude Medical's directors failed to correct Abbott's August 2015 statement that Abbott had not evaluated a potential acquisition of St. Jude Medical when Abbott later indicated potential interest in acquiring St. Jude Medical; and (d) St. Jude Medical's directors agreed to certain alleged "deal protection measures" in the merger agreement that, according to plaintiff, are calculated to dissuade potential suitors from making an alternative offer. Although St. Jude Medical is named as a defendant in the Silverman action, no cause of action is asserted against it. Plaintiff purports to assert his claims on behalf of himself and all other public St. Jude Medical shareholders and seeks, among other relief, an injunction precluding consummation of the mergers and damages.

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Inc. St. Jude Medical is named as a nominal defendant. The plaintiff alleges, among other things, that St. Jude Medical's directors breached their fiduciary duties to St. Jude Medical and its shareholders by entering into the merger agreement, and that Abbott, Vault Merger Sub LLC, and Vault Merger Sub, Inc. aided and abetted that breach of duty. Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that (a) the per share merger consideration is inadequate; (b) the proposed transaction was timed to take advantage of an artificial depression in the market price of St. Jude Medical's publicly-traded shares; (c) the stock component of the merger consideration has decreased in value since the proposed transaction was announced; and (d) certain provisions in the merger agreement allegedly operate to deter any potential superior proposal from a third-party bidder. The plaintiff alleges claims purportedly on behalf of a class of St. Jude Medical shareholders for breach of fiduciary duty against the members of St. Jude Medical's board of directors and against Abbott for aiding and abetting that alleged breach. The plaintiff further purports to allege claims derivatively, on behalf of St. Jude Medical, against the members of St. Jude Medical's board of directors for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, and "abuse of control." The plaintiff seeks an order enjoining St. Jude Medical from consummating the proposed transaction with Abbott, or rescinding the transaction if consummated, and/or awarding damages.

complaint further alleges that St. Jude Medical's directors are liable for the alleged violation of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act as "Control Persons" under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and that St. Jude Medical and its directors are liable for the alleged violations of Minnesota Statute Section 80A.68 under Minnesota Statute Section 80A.76. The complaint seeks an order enjoining St. Jude Medical from consummating the mergers until additional disclosures are made, rescinding the mergers if consummated, and/or awarding damages.

On July 5, 2016, plaintiffs in the Silverman and Larkin actions filed an amended complaint against St. Jude Medical, its directors, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, LLC, and Vault Merger Sub, Inc., which alleges, among other things, that St. Jude Medical and its directors failed to disclose all material facts regarding the proposed merger and made statements in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 that were materially false or misleading. By order dated July 13, 2016, the Minnesota District Court consolidated the Silverman and Larkin actions under the caption In re St. Jude Medical Shareholders Litigation, Case No. 62-CV-16-2872 (which we refer to as the "consolidated state action"), and appointed lead plaintiffs and lead counsel, and liaison counsel. Pursuant to the Court's July 13, 2016 order, no motion, request for discovery, or other pretrial or trial proceedings shall be initiated or filed by any plaintiffs except through liaison counsel in the consolidated state action. The Court's July 13, 2016 order contemplates that future-filed actions relating to the same subject matter as the consolidated state action will also be consolidated with the consolidated state action.

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of directors breached their fiduciary duties to St. Jude Medical shareholders by, among other things, (a) entering into the merger agreement; (b) agreeing to inadequate merger consideration; (c) agreeing to certain alleged deal protection measures in the merger agreement that, according to Gross, are calculated to dissuade potential suitors from making an alternative offer; and (d) failing to disclose all material facts regarding the proposed merger to St. Jude Medical's shareholders. The complaint further alleges that Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC aided and abetted the St. Jude Medical directors' breaches of duties, and that, by allegedly making material misstatements and omissions in this Registration Statement on Form S-4, the members of St. Jude

Medical's board of directors and St. Jude Medical violated Minnesota Statutes Sections 80A.68 and 80A.76. The complaint seeks, among other relief, an injunction precluding consummation of the mergers and damages.

Risk Factors

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You should consider all the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus in deciding how to vote for the proposals presented in this proxy statement/prospectus. In particular, you should consider the factors described under "Risk Factors."

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF ABBOTT

The following table presents selected historical consolidated financial data for Abbott as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011. This information has been derived from Abbott's audited consolidated financial statements. The selected historical consolidated financial data at or for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 have been derived from Abbott's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The unaudited statements from which this data is derived include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of Abbott's consolidated results of operations and financial position for the periods presented. Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

You should read this information in conjunction with the historical financial statements of Abbott and the related notes, including those contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in Abbott's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

	At or for the Six Months Ended

	At or for the Six Months Ended					At or for Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	June 30, 2016			June 30, 2015		At or for Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	June 30, 2016			June 30, 2015		2015		2014			2013			2012			2011
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Statements of Income Data:
Net sales⁽¹⁾	$	10,218		$	10,067	$	20,405	$	20,247		$	19,657		$	19,050		$	18,663
Earnings from continuing operations⁽¹⁾		655	⁽²⁾		1,315		2,606		1,721	⁽⁶⁾		1,988	⁽⁵⁾		237	⁽⁴⁾		676
Net earnings		931	⁽²⁾		3,076		4,423		2,284	⁽⁶⁾		2,576	⁽⁵⁾		5,963	⁽⁴⁾		4,728
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations⁽¹⁾		0.44	⁽²⁾		0.87		1.73		1.13	⁽⁶⁾		1.27	⁽⁵⁾		0.15	⁽⁴⁾		0.43
Basic earnings per common share		0.63	⁽²⁾		2.04		2.94		1.50	⁽⁶⁾		1.64	⁽⁵⁾		3.76	⁽⁴⁾		3.03
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations⁽¹⁾		0.44	⁽²⁾		0.87		1.72		1.12	⁽⁶⁾		1.26	⁽⁵⁾		0.15	⁽⁴⁾		0.43
Diluted earnings per common share		0.63	⁽²⁾		2.03		2.92		1.49	⁽⁶⁾		1.62	⁽⁵⁾		3.72	⁽⁴⁾		3.01
Balance Sheet Data:⁽⁷⁾
Total assets	$	39,831		$	44,050	$	41,247	$	41,207		$	42,937	⁽³⁾	$	67,148		$	60,235
Long-term debt, including current portion		6,020			5,872		5,874		3,448			3,381	⁽³⁾		18,307			13,025
Cash dividends declared per common share		0.52			0.48		0.98		0.90			0.64	⁽³⁾		1.67			1.92

(1): Amounts exclude Abbott's developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals, animal health and former research-based pharmaceuticals (AbbVie Inc.) businesses, which were reported as discontinued operations.
(2): Includes a foreign exchange loss of $477 million or $0.32 per share related to the revaluation of Abbott's net monetary assets in Venezuela.
(3): On January 1, 2013, Abbott completed the separation of AbbVie Inc., which was formed to hold Abbott's research based proprietary pharmaceutical business. Total assets, long-term debt and cash dividends declared for 2013 and subsequent periods reflect the impact of this separation.

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(4): Includes a $1.351 billion pretax charge or $0.53 per share for debt extinguishment costs.
(5): Includes tax benefit of $230 million or $0.15 per share related to the resolutions of various tax positions from previous years and $103 million or $0.07 per share related to the impact of U.S. tax law changes in 2013 related to 2012 results.
(6): Includes tax expense of $440 million or $0.29 per share associated with a one-time repatriation of 2014 ex-U.S. earnings.
(7): Effective in 2015, Abbott adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and used the retrospective application method to adjust total assets and total debt balances. Prior period balances have been retrospectively adjusted to conform to this method of presentation.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL

The following table presents selected historical consolidated financial data for St. Jude Medical as of and for fiscal years 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011. St. Jude Medical utilizes a 52/53 fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal years 2015, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were 52 weeks long and ended on January 2, 2016, December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Fiscal year 2014 was 53 weeks long and ended on January 3, 2015. This information has been derived from St. Jude Medical's audited consolidated financial statements. The selected historical consolidated financial data at or for the six months ended July 2, 2016 and July 4, 2015 have been derived from St. Jude Medical's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The six months ended July 2, 2016 and July 4, 2015 each consisted of 26 weeks. The unaudited statements from which these data are derived include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of St. Jude Medical's consolidated results of operations and financial position for the periods presented. Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

You should read this information in conjunction with St. Jude Medical's consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in St. Jude Medical's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year ended January 2, 2016, and in St. Jude Medical's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended July 2, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

	At or for the Six Months Ended

	At or for the Six Months Ended						At or for Fiscal Year
	July 2, 2016			July 4, 2015			At or for Fiscal Year
	July 2, 2016			July 4, 2015			2015			2014			2013			2012			2011
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Statements of Income Data:
Net sales	$	3,010		$	2,755		$	5,541		$	5,622		$	5,501		$	5,503		$	5,612
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical		333			552			880			1,002			723			752			826
Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical		1.17			1.96			3.11			3.52			2.52			2.40			2.55
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical		1.16	⁽¹⁾		1.93	⁽²⁾		3.07	⁽³⁾		3.46	⁽⁴⁾		2.49	⁽⁵⁾		2.39	⁽⁶⁾		2.52	⁽⁷⁾
Balance Sheet Data:⁽⁸⁾
Total assets⁽⁹⁾	$	12,658		$	9,468		$	12,900		$	10,021		$	10,128		$	9,164		$	8,996
Long-term debt		5,431			1,741			5,229			2,259			3,502			2,544			2,704
Cash dividends declared per common share		0.62			0.58			1.16			1.08			1.00			0.92			0.84

(1): Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical for the six months ended July 2, 2016 included after-tax charges of $171 million, or $0.59 per diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, related to restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's 2016 initiatives, manufacturing and supply chain optimization plan, other restructuring-related charges, acquisition-related charges, product field action and litigation charges, strategic investment impairments, legal settlements, and income tax charges for income tax adjustments, partially offset by restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's 2012 business realignment plan, legal settlements, and probable insurance recoveries. See the notes to St. Jude Medical's condensed consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference for further detail.
(2): Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical for the six months ended July 4, 2015 included after-tax benefits of $37 million, or $0.13 per diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, related to acquisition-related benefits, legal settlements, and income tax benefits for income tax adjustments, partially offset by restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's manufacturing and supply chain optimization plan and 2012 business realignment plan and product field action costs and litigation costs. For further detail, see the notes to St. Jude Medical's condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarterly period ended July 4, 2015 included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 4, 2015, which is not incorporated by reference herein.

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(3): 2015 diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical included after-tax charges of $172 million, or $0.59 per diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, related to acquisition-related charges, restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's 2016 initiatives, manufacturing and supply chain optimization plan, 2012 business realignment plan and 2011 restructuring plan, product field action costs and litigation costs, legal settlement expenses and intangible asset impairment charges, partially offset by an income tax benefit for discrete income tax adjustments and a net benefit related to insurance recoveries associated with a litigation case. See the notes to St. Jude Medical's consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference for further detail.
(4): 2014 diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical included after-tax charges of $150 million, or $0.52 per diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, related to restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's 2012 business realignment plan and manufacturing and supply chain optimization plan, acquisition-related charges, intangible asset impairment charges, product field action and litigation charges, and legal settlement expenses, partially offset by a favorable legal settlement and an income tax benefit for discrete income tax adjustments. See the notes to St. Jude Medical's consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference for further detail.
(5): 2013 diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical included after-tax charges of $371 million, or $1.27 per diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, related to restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's 2012 business realignment plan and 2011 restructuring plan, debt retirement costs primarily associated with make-whole redemption payments and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, acquisition-related charges, intangible asset impairment charges, product field action and litigation charges, and a legal settlement charge, partially offset by an income tax benefit from the enactment of a tax law and the settlement of domestic tax audits. See the notes to St. Jude Medical's consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference for further detail.
(6): 2012 diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical included after-tax charges of $321 million, or $1.02 per diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, related to restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's 2012 business realignment plan and 2011 restructuring plan, product field action and litigation charges, a legal settlement charge, intangible asset impairment charges, inventory write-offs and an additional income tax charge related to a settlement reserve for certain prior year tax positions. For further detail, see the notes to St. Jude Medical's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 29, 2012 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference herein.
(7): 2011 diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical included after-tax charges of $210 million, or $0.64 per diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, related to restructuring activities associated with St. Jude Medical's 2011 restructuring plan, acquisition-related charges, intangible asset impairment charges, contributions to the St. Jude Medical foundation, bad debt expense for a customer in Europe and purchased in-process research and development charges. For further detail, see the notes to St. Jude Medical's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference herein.
(8): Effective in 2015, St. Jude Medical adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and used the retrospective application method to adjust total assets and long-term debt balances. Prior period balances have been retrospectively adjusted to conform to the 2015 presentation.
(9): Effective April 2, 2016, St. Jude Medical adopted ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes and used the retrospective application method to adjust the total assets balances. Prior period balances have been retrospectively adjusted to conform to the 2016 presentation.

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SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information gives effect to the acquisition of St. Jude Medical by Abbott. The selected pro forma financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting under GAAP. The selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet data as of June 30, 2016 gives effect to the transaction as if it had occurred on June 30, 2016. The selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Earnings data for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the six months ended June 30, 2016 give effect as if the transaction had occurred on January 1, 2015.

As explained in more detail in the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, the acquisition accounting is dependent upon certain valuations and other analyses that have yet to commence or progress to a stage where there is sufficient information for a definitive measurement. See the section entitled "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information." Accordingly, the pro forma financial information is preliminary and has been prepared solely for the purpose of providing unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Differences between these preliminary estimates and the final acquisition accounting will occur and these differences may have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and the future results of operations and financial position of the combined company.

The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared by Abbott in accordance with the regulations of the SEC, is presented for informational purposes only, and is not necessarily indicative of the condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations that would have been realized had the mergers occurred as of the dates indicated above, nor is it meant to be indicative of any anticipated condensed consolidated financial position or future results of operations that the combined entity will experience after the mergers. The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information includes adjustments that give effect to events that are directly attributable to the mergers, factually supportable, and with respect to the statements of earnings, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results. The accompanying selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not include the impact of any expected cost savings, restructuring actions, or operating synergies that may be achievable subsequent to the mergers or the costs necessary to achieve any such savings, restructurings, or synergies.

The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of the combined company appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying notes to such pro forma statements. See "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements" sections of this proxy statement/prospectus for additional information. In addition, the selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is derived from and should be read in conjunction with (i) the historical consolidated financial statements of Abbott (in Abbott's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 and Abbott's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus) and (ii) the historical consolidated financial statements of St. Jude Medical (in St. Jude Medical's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2016 and St. Jude Medical's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016, which have been incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus).

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Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Earnings

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2016			Year Ended December 31, 2015

	(in millions, except per share data)
Net sales	$	12,652		$	24,813
Earnings from continuing operations	$	406	⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	2,073	⁽²⁾
Earnings per share—basic	$	0.23	⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	1.18	⁽²⁾
Earnings per share—diluted	$	0.23	⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	1.17	⁽²⁾
Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic		1,732			1,752
Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted		1,738			1,762

(1): Includes a foreign exchange loss of $477 million or $0.27 per share related to the revaluation of Abbott's net monetary assets in Venezuela.
(2): Includes intangible amortization expense of $934 million, or $0.44 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and $1.89 billion, or $0.87 per share for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

	June 30, 2016

	(in millions)
Total Assets	$	76,202
Total Liabilities	$	43,784

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COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA

The following tables set forth historical per share information of Abbott and St. Jude Medical and preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined per share information after giving effect to the mergers under the acquisition method of accounting. You should not rely on this information as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future results that Abbott will experience after the acquisition of St. Jude Medical. The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined per share data have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements" and the related notes in this proxy statement/prospectus. The historical per share data have been derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of Abbott and St. Jude Medical as of and for the periods indicated, incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus.

	As of and For the

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2016			Year Ended December 31, 2015
Abbott Historical Per Share Data
Earnings from continuing operations per share—basic	$	0.44		$	1.73
Earnings from continuing operations per share—diluted	$	0.44		$	1.72
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.52		$	0.98
Book value per share⁽¹⁾	$	14.06		$	14.40
	As of and For the
	Six Months Ended July 2, 2016			Year Ended January 2, 2016
St. Jude Medical Historical Per Share Data
Earnings from continuing operations per share—basic	$	1.17		$	3.11
Earnings from continuing operations per share—diluted	$	1.16		$	3.07
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.62		$	1.16
Book value per share⁽¹⁾	$	15.04		$	14.26
	As of and For the
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2016			Year Ended December 31, 2015
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Per Share Data
Earnings from continuing operations per share—basic	$	0.23	⁽²⁾	$	1.18	⁽³⁾
Earnings from continuing operations per share—diluted	$	0.23	⁽²⁾	$	1.17	⁽³⁾
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.52		$	0.98
Book value per share⁽¹⁾	$	18.71			N/A

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	As of and For the

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2016		Year Ended December 31, 2015
Unaudited Pro Forma Equivalent Per Share Data per St. Jude Medical Share⁽⁴⁾
Earnings from continuing operations per share—basic	$	0.20	$	1.03
Earnings from continuing operations per share—diluted	$	0.20	$	1.02
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.45	$	0.85
Book value per share⁽¹⁾	$	16.29		N/A

(1): Amount is calculated by dividing shareholders' equity by common shares outstanding at the end of the period.
(2): Includes intangible amortization expense of $934 million, or $0.44 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and a foreign exchange loss of $477 million or $0.27 per share related to the revaluation of Abbott's net monetary assets in Venezuela.
(3): Includes intangible amortization expense of $1.89 billion, or $0.87 per share for the year ended December 31, 2015.
(4): The unaudited pro forma equivalent per share data for St. Jude Medical are calculated by multiplying the preliminary unaudited pro forma combined per share data by the exchange ratio of 0.8708. These data do not include the payment of the cash portion of the per share merger consideration.

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COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

St. Jude Medical shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol "STJ" and Abbott shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol "ABT." The following table sets forth the high and low reported sale prices per share and the cash dividends declared per share for St. Jude Medical shares and Abbott shares for the periods indicated.

Abbott

Quarter Data	High Trading Price⁽¹⁾		Low Trading Price⁽¹⁾		Dividend Declared⁽²⁾

First Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	23.66	$	21.56	$	0.48
Second Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	25.95	$	23.47	$	0.48
Third Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	25.65	$	22.15	$	0.48
Fourth Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	27.01	$	23.43	$	0.48
First Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	29.42	$	25.82	$	0.51
Second Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	30.85	$	28.25	$	0.51
Third Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	33.69	$	30.39	$	0.51
Fourth Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	34.67	$	29.96	$	0.14
First Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	35.34	$	31.64	$	0.14
Second Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	38.77	$	34.69	$	0.14
Third Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	37.16	$	32.70	$	0.14
Fourth Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	38.81	$	32.75	$	0.22
First Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	40.49	$	35.65	$	0.22
Second Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	41.30	$	36.65	$	0.22
Third Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	44.20	$	40.92	$	0.22
Fourth Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	46.50	$	39.28	$	0.24
First Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	47.88	$	43.36	$	0.24
Second Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	50.47	$	45.55	$	0.24
Third Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	51.74	$	39.00	$	0.24
Fourth Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	46.38	$	39.28	$	0.26
First Quarter 2016 Fiscal Year	$	44.05	$	36.00	$	0.26
Second Quarter 2016 Fiscal Year	$	44.58	$	36.76	$	0.26
Third Quarter 2016 Fiscal Year (through September 16, 2016)	$	45.79	$	39.16	$	0.26

(1): On January 1, 2013, Abbott completed the separation of its research-based proprietary pharmaceuticals business through the pro rata distribution of all of the issued and outstanding common stock of AbbVie Inc. to the then-holders of Abbott shares, which we refer to as the AbbVie separation. The intraday high and low Abbott trading prices for fiscal year 2012 and prior have been adjusted to reflect the AbbVie separation.
(2): The decrease in dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2012 reflects the impact of the AbbVie separation.

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St. Jude Medical

Quarter Data	High Trading Price		Low Trading Price		Dividend Declared

First Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	53.05	$	40.14	$	0.21
Second Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	54.18	$	46.01	$	0.21
Third Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	49.79	$	35.42	$	0.21
Fourth Quarter 2011 Fiscal Year	$	41.98	$	32.13	$	0.21
First Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	44.80	$	34.23	$	0.23
Second Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	44.10	$	34.82	$	0.23
Third Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	43.31	$	35.57	$	0.23
Fourth Quarter 2012 Fiscal Year	$	43.76	$	30.25	$	0.23
First Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	43.23	$	35.32	$	0.25
Second Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	47.45	$	39.79	$	0.25
Third Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	54.36	$	45.38	$	0.25
Fourth Quarter 2013 Fiscal Year	$	63.15	$	51.79	$	0.25
First Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	68.79	$	59.16	$	0.27
Second Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	70.59	$	59.85	$	0.27
Third Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	71.90	$	61.00	$	0.27
Fourth Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year	$	70.24	$	54.80	$	0.27
First Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	68.99	$	63.93	$	0.29
Second Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	76.33	$	64.96	$	0.29
Third Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	80.84	$	61.01	$	0.29
Fourth Quarter 2015 Fiscal Year	$	68.97	$	59.88	$	0.29
First Quarter 2016 Fiscal Year	$	61.45	$	48.83	$	0.31
Second Quarter 2016 Fiscal Year	$	79.61	$	54.68	$	0.31
Third Quarter 2016 Fiscal Year (through September 16, 2016)	$	84.00	$	73.40	$	0.31

On April 27, 2016, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the closing sale price for a St. Jude Medical share on the NYSE was $61.95. On September 16, 2016, the last practicable trading day before the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus, the closing sale price of a St. Jude Medical share on the NYSE was $79.19.

On April 27, 2016, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the closing sale price for an Abbott share on the NYSE was $43.83. On September 16, 2016, the last practicable trading day before the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus, the closing sale price of a share of Abbott shares on the NYSE was $41.87.

As of the close of business on September 16, 2016, the record date for the shareholders' meeting, there were approximately 1,713 registered holders of St. Jude Medical shares.

The following table presents the closing prices for St. Jude Medical shares and Abbott shares on April 27, 2016, the last trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, and September 16, 2016, the last practicable trading day prior to the mailing of this proxy statement/

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prospectus. The table also shows the estimated implied value of the per share merger consideration for each St. Jude Medical share on the relevant date.

Date	St. Jude Medical Closing Price		Abbott Closing Price			Estimated Equivalent Per Share Value⁽¹⁾

April 27, 2016	$	61.95	$	43.83	0.8708	$	84.92
September 16, 2016	$	79.19	$	41.87	0.8708	$	83.21

(1): The implied value of the per share merger consideration represents the sum of $46.75, the cash portion of the per share merger consideration, plus the stock portion of the per share merger consideration, based on the respective closing prices of Abbott shares of $43.83 on April 27, 2016 and $41.87 on September 16, 2016.

The above tables show only historical comparisons. These comparisons may not provide meaningful information to St. Jude Medical shareholders in determining whether to approve the merger agreement. St. Jude Medical shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for Abbott shares and St. Jude Medical shares and to review carefully the other information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus in considering whether to approve the merger agreement. The market price of Abbott shares and St. Jude Medical shares will fluctuate between the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and the date the mergers are completed. No assurance can be given concerning the market price of St. Jude Medical shares before, or Abbott shares before or after, the effective date of the mergers. Changes in the market price of Abbott shares prior to the completion of the mergers will affect the market value of the merger consideration that St. Jude Medical shareholders will receive upon completion of the first merger. The exchange ratio is fixed in the merger agreement, but the market price of Abbott shares (and therefore the value of the merger consideration) when received by St. Jude Medical shareholders after the mergers are completed could be greater than, less than or the same as shown in the table above.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus are "forward-looking statements" that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms such as "intend," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "potential," "opportunity," "project," "strategy" and similar terms. Abbott and St. Jude Medical caution that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction on a timely basis or at all; the risk that the required regulatory approvals may be subject to unanticipated terms or conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the ability of Abbott to successfully integrate St. Jude Medical's operations; general economic and business conditions; global economic growth and activity; industry conditions; changes in laws or regulations; the ability of Abbott to implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to St. Jude Medical's business after the completion of the transaction and realize anticipated synergies or realize anticipated synergies within the expected timeframe; risks of litigation relating to the mergers; risks of the outcome of pending or potential litigation or governmental investigations; and Abbott's ability to access financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement on a timely basis and reasonable terms. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's operations are discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in each of Abbott's Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, and St. Jude Medical's Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2016, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 2, 2016, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2016, respectively, and are incorporated by reference. The forward-looking statements include assumptions about Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's operations, such as cost controls and market conditions, and certain plans, activities or events which we expect will or may occur in the future and relate to, among other things, the business combination transaction involving Abbott and St. Jude Medical, the financing of the proposed transaction, the benefits, results, effects and timing of the proposed transaction, future financial and operating results, and the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations (financial or otherwise) and intentions.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made by Abbott or St. Jude Medical contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus are qualified by factors, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" of this proxy statement/prospectus and those set forth under the headings "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's annual and quarterly reports and other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Abbott and St. Jude Medical undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized, except as may be required by law. As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated herein, and Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

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RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed in the section entitled "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements", St. Jude Medical shareholders should carefully consider the following risk factors in determining whether to vote for approval of the merger agreement. You should also read and consider the risk factors associated with each of the businesses of St. Jude Medical and Abbott because these risk factors may affect the operations and financial results of the combined company. These risk factors may be found under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in Abbott's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, St. Jude Medical's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 and in each future Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by St. Jude Medical and Abbott and incorporated by reference into this document. See the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

Because the exchange ratio is fixed and the market price of Abbott shares has fluctuated and will continue to fluctuate, you cannot be sure of the value of the per share merger consideration you will receive.

At the first effective time, each St. Jude Medical share outstanding immediately prior to the first merger (other than those held by Abbott or by any subsidiary of Abbott or of St. Jude Medical, or with respect to which dissenters' rights have been properly exercised in accordance with the MBCA) will be converted into the right to receive (i) $46.75 in cash, without interest, and (ii) 0.8708 of an Abbott share. The per share merger consideration is subject to adjustment in certain limited circumstances. See the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Per Share Merger Consideration." The exchange ratio is fixed in the merger agreement, but the market price of Abbott shares (and therefore the value of the merger consideration) when received by St. Jude Medical shareholders after the mergers are completed could be greater than, less than or the same as the market price at the announcement of the merger agreement. Accordingly, at the time of the shareholders' meeting, St. Jude Medical shareholders will not be able to determine the market value of the per share merger consideration they would receive upon completion of the mergers. The market price for Abbott shares may fluctuate both prior to completion of the mergers and thereafter for a variety of reasons, including, among others, general market and economic conditions, the demand for Abbott's or St. Jude Medical's products and services, potential future issuances and repurchases of Abbott shares, changes in laws and regulations, other changes in Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's respective businesses, operations, prospects and financial results of operations, market assessments of the likelihood that the mergers will be completed, and the expected timing of the mergers. Many of these factors are beyond Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's control. You are urged to obtain current market quotations for Abbott shares when deciding whether to vote for approval of the merger agreement.

The market price of Abbott shares after the mergers will continue to fluctuate and may be affected by factors different from those affecting St. Jude Medical shares currently.

Upon completion of the mergers, holders of St. Jude Medical shares will become holders of Abbott shares. The market price of Abbott shares may fluctuate significantly following consummation of the mergers. The stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in recent times which could adversely impact the market for, or liquidity of, Abbott shares, regardless of Abbott's actual operating performance. In addition, Abbott's business differs in important respects from that of St. Jude Medical, and accordingly, the results of operations of the combined company and the market price of Abbott shares after the completion of the mergers may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the independent results of operations of each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical. For a discussion of the businesses of Abbott and St. Jude Medical and of some important factors to consider in connection with those businesses, see the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus and referred to under "Where You Can Find More Information."

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Sales of Abbott shares received in the mergers may cause the market price for Abbott shares to decrease, as some St. Jude Medical shareholders may adjust their portfolios.

Based on the number of outstanding St. Jude Medical shares as of April 29, 2016, Abbott would issue approximately 247.5 million Abbott shares in connection with the transaction. Some St. Jude Medical shareholders may decide not to hold the Abbott shares they will receive in connection with completion of the mergers. Other St. Jude Medical shareholders, such as funds with limitations on their permitted holdings of stock in individual issuers, may be required to sell the Abbott shares that they receive in connection with completion of the mergers. Such sales of Abbott shares could have the effect of depressing the market price for Abbott shares during the adjustment period.

Completion of the mergers is subject to conditions and if these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the mergers will not be completed.

In addition to the approval of the merger agreement by St. Jude Medical shareholders, the obligations of Abbott and St. Jude Medical to complete the mergers are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of other conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and all applicable filings, registrations, waiting periods (or extensions thereof) and approvals under each applicable competition law of specified jurisdictions relating to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement having been made, expired, terminated or obtained, as the case may be. For a more complete summary of the required regulatory approvals, see the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Regulatory Approvals."

Additionally, among other things, completion of the mergers is conditioned on the accuracy of representations and warranties made in the merger agreement (subject to the materiality standards set forth in the merger agreement), Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's performance of all of their respective obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects, the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part (and the absence of any stop order by the SEC), approval of the listing on the NYSE of the Abbott shares to be issued in the first merger, the absence of an injunction or other order prohibiting the mergers, the absence of a material adverse effect (as defined in the merger agreement) on either St. Jude Medical or Abbott and the receipt by each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical of an opinion of nationally recognized outside counsel, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. For a more complete summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the mergers, see the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Mergers."

The failure to satisfy all of the required conditions could delay the completion of the mergers for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the mergers could cause Abbott not to realize some or all of the benefits that Abbott expects to achieve if the mergers are successfully completed within the expected timeframe. There can be no assurance that the conditions to the closing of the mergers will be satisfied or waived or that the mergers will be completed. For more information on this risk and its potential consequences, see the risk factor entitled "—Failure to complete the mergers could negatively affect the stock price and the future business and financial results of St. Jude Medical."

In order to complete the mergers, Abbott and St. Jude Medical must make certain governmental filings and obtain certain governmental authorizations, and if such filings and authorizations are not made or granted or are granted with conditions, completion of the mergers may be jeopardized or the anticipated benefits of the mergers could be reduced.

Although Abbott and St. Jude Medical have agreed in the merger agreement to use their reasonable best efforts, subject to certain limitations, to make certain governmental filings and obtain the required expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act, there can be no

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assurance that the respective governmental authorities' will approve of the mergers. Under the terms of the merger agreement, subject to certain exceptions, Abbott and St. Jude Medical are required to accept certain conditions and take certain actions imposed by governmental authorities that would apply to, or affect, the businesses, assets or properties of Abbott or St. Jude Medical, as described in the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Regulatory Approvals." There can be no assurance that regulators will not impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of (i) delaying completion of the mergers, (ii) imposing additional material costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the combined company following the mergers, or (iii) otherwise adversely affecting the combined company's business and results of operations after completion of the mergers. In addition, we can provide no assurance that these conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the mergers. See the sections entitled "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Mergers" and "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Regulatory Approvals."

Lawsuits have been filed, and other lawsuits may be filed, against St. Jude Medical, its directors, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC, and an adverse ruling in such lawsuits may prevent the mergers from becoming effective or from becoming effective within the expected timeframe.

St. Jude Medical, its directors, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC are named as defendants in two putative class action lawsuits brought by purported St. Jude Medical shareholders challenging the proposed mergers and/or the adequacy of the disclosures in this registration statement, and seeking, among other things, equitable relief to enjoin consummation of the mergers and/or compensatory damages. One of the conditions to the completion of the mergers is that no injunction by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction will be in effect that prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the mergers. As such, if any of the plaintiffs are successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting the consummation of the mergers, then such injunction may prevent the mergers from becoming effective within the expected timeframe or at all. For more information about the lawsuits related to the mergers that have been filed, see the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Litigation Related to the Mergers" of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Combining the two companies may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected and the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the mergers may not be realized.

St. Jude Medical and Abbott have operated and, until the completion of the first merger, will continue to operate, independently. The success of the mergers, including anticipated benefits and cost savings, will depend, in part, on Abbott's ability to successfully combine and integrate the businesses of Abbott and St. Jude Medical. It is possible that the pendency of the mergers and/or the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, higher than expected costs, diversion of management attention of both St. Jude Medical and Abbott, the disruption of either company's ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the combined company's ability to maintain relationships with customers, vendors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the mergers. If Abbott experiences difficulties with the integration process, the anticipated benefits of the mergers may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. Abbott's management continues to refine its integration plan. Integration efforts between the two companies will also divert management's attention and resources from the ordinary operations of the combined company after completion of the mergers. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on (i) each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical during this transition period and (ii) the combined company after completion of the mergers. In addition, the actual cost savings of the mergers could be less than anticipated.

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St. Jude Medical's executive officers and directors have interests in the mergers that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder of St. Jude Medical.

When considering the recommendation of the St. Jude Medical board of directors that St. Jude Medical shareholders approve the merger agreement, St. Jude Medical shareholders should be aware that directors and executive officers of St. Jude Medical have certain interests in the mergers that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of St. Jude Medical shareholders and Abbott shareholders generally. These interests include, among others, the treatment of outstanding equity awards pursuant to the merger agreement, potential severance benefits and other payments, and rights to ongoing indemnification and insurance coverage by the surviving company for acts or omissions occurring prior to the mergers. For a more detailed description of these interests, see the section entitled "Interests of St. Jude Medical's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers." As a result of these interests, these directors and executive officers of St. Jude Medical might be more likely to support and to vote in favor of the merger-related proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus than if they did not have these interests.

The merger agreement limits St. Jude Medical's ability to pursue alternatives to the mergers, and in certain instances requires payment of a termination fee, both of which may discourage other companies from trying to acquire St. Jude Medical for greater consideration than what Abbott has agreed to pay or from proposing an alternative transaction.

The merger agreement contains provisions that make it more difficult for St. Jude Medical to sell its business to any person other than Abbott. These provisions include a general prohibition on St. Jude Medical soliciting any acquisition proposal or offer for a competing transaction. In some circumstances upon termination of the merger agreement, St. Jude Medical may be required to pay to Abbott a termination fee of $685 million. Further, there are only limited exceptions to (i) St. Jude Medical's agreement that the St. Jude Medical board will not withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to Abbott the recommendation of the St. Jude Medical board of directors in favor of approval of the merger agreement and (ii) St. Jude Medical's agreement not to enter into an agreement with respect to a company acquisition proposal (as defined in the merger agreement). These provisions might discourage a third party that has an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of St. Jude Medical from considering or proposing that acquisition, even if that party were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share cash or market value than the market value proposed to be received in the first merger, or might result in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower price than it might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the added expense of the termination fee that may become payable in certain circumstances. For a more complete summary of these provisions see the sections entitled "The Merger Agreement—No Solicitation" and "The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement."

Failure to complete the mergers could negatively affect the stock price and the future business and financial results of St. Jude Medical.

If the mergers are not completed for any reason, including as a result of St. Jude Medical shareholders failing to approve the merger agreement, the ongoing business of St. Jude Medical may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the mergers, St. Jude Medical would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

•: St. Jude Medical may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on its stock price;
•: St. Jude Medical may experience negative reactions from its customers, suppliers and employees;
•: St. Jude Medical is required to pay costs that it incurs relating to the transaction, regardless of whether the mergers are completed, such as legal, accounting and printing fees;

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•: During the pendency of the mergers, the merger agreement restricts the conduct of St. Jude Medical's businesses, which may prevent St. Jude Medical from taking certain actions that it might otherwise deem to be in the best interests of St. Jude Medical and its shareholders; and
•: During the pendency of the mergers, St. Jude Medical management will devote substantial time and resources to matters relating to the mergers that may have otherwise been devoted to improving day-to-day operations or evaluating other opportunities that potentially may have been in the best interests of St. Jude Medical and its shareholders.

In addition to the above risks, St. Jude Medical may be required, under certain circumstances, to pay to Abbott a termination fee of $685 million, which may adversely affect St. Jude Medical's financial results. Further, St. Jude Medical could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the mergers or related to any enforcement proceeding commenced against St. Jude Medical to perform its obligations under the merger agreement. If the mergers are not completed, these risks may materialize and may adversely affect St. Jude Medical's businesses, financial condition, financial results and stock price.

The Abbott shares to be received by St. Jude Medical shareholders as a result of the mergers will have rights different from the St. Jude Medical shares.

Upon occurrence of the first effective time, St. Jude Medical shareholders will no longer be shareholders of St. Jude Medical and will instead become Abbott shareholders, and their rights as shareholders will be governed by the terms of Abbott's restated articles of incorporation and by-laws and by Illinois law, including the IBCA. The terms of the Abbott restated articles of incorporation and by-laws and Illinois law, including the IBCA, differ in some respects from St. Jude Medical's articles of incorporation, St. Jude Medical's bylaws and Minnesota law, including the MBCA. For a discussion of the different rights associated with Abbott shares, see the section entitled "Comparison of Shareholders' Rights."

After the mergers, St. Jude Medical shareholders will have a significantly lower ownership and voting interest in Abbott than they currently have in St. Jude Medical and will exercise less influence over management.

Based on the number of St. Jude Medical shares outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement, and the number of Abbott shares outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement and not taking into account any other equity issuances by Abbott, it is expected that, immediately after completion of the mergers, former St. Jude Medical shareholders will own approximately 14% of the outstanding Abbott shares. Consequently, former St. Jude Medical shareholders as a group will have less influence over the management and policies of Abbott than they currently have over the management and policies of St. Jude Medical.

The value of St. Jude Medical shares and/or Abbott shares may have changed since the date on which the St. Jude Medical board of directors approved the mergers and the opinion of St. Jude Medical's financial advisor was rendered to St. Jude Medical's board of directors.

Prevailing market and economic conditions, St. Jude Medical's management's internal forecasts, and other conditions existing and information available as of the date of the St. Jude Medical board's approval of the mergers and the opinion of St. Jude Medical's financial advisor may have changed or may change, and such changes may be significant. St. Jude Medical has not, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, obtained an updated opinion of its financial advisor, which opinion speaks only as of the date rendered, and St. Jude Medical will not obtain an updated opinion prior to the completion of the mergers. Changes in the operations and prospects of St. Jude Medical or Abbott, general market and economic conditions, and other factors that may be beyond the control of St. Jude Medical and Abbott, and on which the St. Jude Medical board approved the mergers and the opinion of St. Jude Medical's financial advisor was based, may alter the value of St. Jude Medical or Abbott or the

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respective prices of St. Jude Medical shares or Abbott shares by the time the mergers are completed or thereafter.

In connection with the mergers, Abbott will incur or assume significant additional indebtedness, which could adversely affect Abbott, including by decreasing Abbott's business flexibility and increasing Abbott's interest expense.

Abbott's consolidated indebtedness as of June 30, 2016 was approximately $8.9 billion. Abbott's indebtedness as of June 30, 2016, assuming both the Alere acquisition and the St. Jude Medical acquisition occurred prior to such date and the anticipated incurrence and assumption and extinguishment of indebtedness in connection therewith had been completed, would be approximately $31 billion. Such amount represents a substantial increase in comparison to Abbott's indebtedness on a recent historical basis. This increased indebtedness could have the effect, among other things, of reducing Abbott's flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and increasing Abbott's interest expense. In addition, the amount of cash required to pay interest on Abbott's indebtedness following completion of the mergers, and thus the demands on Abbott's cash resources, will be greater than the amount of cash required to service the indebtedness of Abbott prior to the transaction. The increased levels of indebtedness following completion of the mergers could therefore reduce funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes and may create competitive disadvantages for Abbott relative to other companies with lower debt levels.

In connection with the debt financing, it is anticipated that Abbott will seek ratings of its indebtedness from one or more nationally recognized credit rating agencies. Abbott's credit ratings reflect each rating organization's opinion of Abbott's financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet Abbott's debt obligations. Abbott's credit ratings affect the cost and availability of future borrowings and, accordingly, Abbott's cost of capital. There can be no assurance that Abbott will achieve a particular rating or maintain a particular rating in the future.

In addition, in the event that St. Jude Medical's existing senior unsecured notes remain outstanding following the mergers and the ratings of such notes are reduced below certain thresholds within certain time periods prior to or following the consummation of the mergers, the surviving company could, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the indenture governing such notes, be required to offer to repurchase such notes at 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such notes outstanding plus any accrued and unpaid interest through the repurchase date.

Abbott may be required to raise additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes. Abbott's ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, Abbott's financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond Abbott's control. Abbott cannot assure you that it will be able to obtain additional financing or refinancing on terms acceptable to Abbott or at all.

The agreements that will govern the indebtedness to be incurred or assumed in connection with the mergers may contain various covenants that impose restrictions on Abbott and certain of its subsidiaries that may affect their ability to operate their businesses.

The agreements that will govern the indebtedness to be incurred in connection with the mergers may contain various affirmative and negative covenants that may, subject to certain significant exceptions, restrict the ability of Abbott and/or certain of its subsidiaries to, among other things, have liens on their property, incur indebtedness, change the nature of their business, transact business with affiliates and/or merge or consolidate with any other person or sell or convey certain of their assets to any one person. In addition, some of the agreements that govern the debt financing may contain covenants that will require Abbott to maintain certain financial ratios. The ability of Abbott and its subsidiaries to comply with these provisions may be affected by events beyond their control. Failure to

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comply with these covenants could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could accelerate Abbott's repayment obligations.

The indenture governing St. Jude Medical's existing senior unsecured notes, to the extent these notes remain outstanding upon completion of the mergers, contains several restrictive covenants and events of default. St. Jude Medical's existing term loan agreement, expected to be guaranteed or assumed and amended by Abbott in connection with the mergers, also contains several restrictive covenants and events of default. Abbott expects the indenture governing the notes it anticipates issuing to finance the mergers will contain restrictive covenants and certain events of default. Any acceleration of indebtedness that arises from an event of default under the credit agreement or the respective indentures could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's business, profitability and financial condition.

If the mergers, taken together, do not qualify as a "reorganization" under Section 368(a) of the Code, the receipt of Abbott shares by St. Jude Medical shareholders pursuant to the mergers may be taxable to St. Jude Medical shareholders.

It is a condition to completion of the mergers that each of Abbott and St. Jude Medical receive from its legal counsel an opinion to the effect that the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. The opinions will be based upon representations provided by Abbott and St. Jude Medical and upon customary factual assumptions, as well as certain covenants or undertakings of Abbott and St. Jude Medical. If any of such representations, assumptions, covenants or undertakings is or becomes incorrect, incomplete, or inaccurate or is violated, the validity of the conclusions reached by counsel in their opinions could be affected. Additionally, an opinion of counsel is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any court, so there can be no certainty that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge the conclusions reflected in the opinions or that a court will not sustain such a challenge. If it is determined that the mergers, taken together, fail to qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, the exchange of St. Jude Medical shares for Abbott shares pursuant to the first merger will be a fully taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For more information, see the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences".

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements included in this document are preliminary and the actual financial condition and results of operations after the mergers may differ materially.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements in this document are presented for informational purposes only, were prepared in accordance with the regulations of the SEC and are not necessarily indicative of what Abbott's actual financial condition or results of operations would have been had the mergers been completed on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements reflect adjustments, which are based upon assumptions and preliminary estimates to record the St. Jude Medical identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value and the resulting goodwill recognized. The purchase price allocation reflected in this document is preliminary, and final allocation of the purchase price will be based upon the actual purchase price and the fair value of the assets and liabilities of St. Jude Medical as of the date of the completion of the mergers. Accordingly, the final acquisition accounting adjustments may differ materially from the pro forma adjustments reflected in this document. For more information, see the section entitled "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements."

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Abbott has entered into a merger agreement with Alere. Several key developments have occurred with respect to Alere since the date of the Alere merger agreement, including three separate investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice (two of which are criminal investigations), a delay in the filing of Alere's required SEC reports, management's disclosure of unremediated material weaknesses over financial reporting, and a product recall following notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Abbott has requested information from Alere relating to these and other matters, but Alere has failed to provide requested information relating to certain key topics, and Abbott continues to wait for such information. Abbott is unable to predict when it will be able to complete its review or the outcome of the review and cannot predict at this time when or whether the conditions to the Alere acquisition will be satisfied.

On January 30, 2016, Abbott entered into a merger agreement with Alere. Following the date of the Alere merger agreement, several key developments occurred with respect to Alere, none of which Abbott was aware of when it executed the Alere merger agreement. These developments include, among other things:

•: a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice relating to potential violations by Alere of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in Africa, Asia and Latin America;
•: a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Fraud Section relating to billing practices of Alere for U.S. government insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare;
•: an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice relating to accuracy, reliability and performance of Alere's INRatio® products;
•: an over-five-month delay in the filing of Alere's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2015; a delay in the filing of Alere's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2016; and a delay in the filing of Alere's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2016;
•: a disclosure by Alere and its auditors in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2015 that a material weakness in Alere's internal control over revenue recognition existed as of December 31, 2015 and that such material weakness has not been remediated;
•: a disclosure by Alere and its auditors in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2015 that the material weakness in Alere's internal control over the accounting for income taxes, which existed as of December 31, 2014, has not been remediated and continued to exist as of December 31, 2015;
•: a disclosure by Alere that it cannot estimate when such material weaknesses will be remediated, and that its initiatives to remediate such material weaknesses may not be successful;
•: a disclosure by Alere in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2016, its latest quarterly report, that its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of June 30, 2016;
•: a notice of non-compliance by the NYSE as a result of Alere's failure to timely file its SEC reports, noting that Alere could potentially risk its listing status as a result of such non-compliance;
•: a potential default under Alere's credit agreement and senior notes as a result of Alere's failure to timely file its SEC reports, for which Alere obtained, after the payment of a fee, a waiver until August 18, 2016 for the credit agreement and until August 31, 2016 for the senior notes; and
•: a recall of Alere's INRatio® products within the United States and Canada following notice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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In light of these significant developments and pursuant to its rights under the Alere merger agreement, Abbott has sought on numerous occasions information from Alere relating to these matters and its internal controls, compliance with law and disclosure controls. Although Alere has provided some information to Abbott, Alere has denied Abbott the access to which it is entitled under the Alere merger agreement for certain key topics, including the events surrounding Alere's delayed financial statements, Alere's internal controls, and significant legal compliance matters. Abbott continues to insist that Alere produce such information, consistent with Alere's obligations under the Alere merger agreement. Abbott is unable to predict at this time when it will be able to complete its review or the outcome of this review.

In light of the above, Abbott cannot predict at this time whether the Alere acquisition will occur on a timely basis, or at all.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING

St. Jude Medical is providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the St. Jude Medical board of directors of proxies to be voted at the shareholders' meeting and at any reconvening of the shareholders' meeting following any adjournment thereof. This proxy statement/prospectus is also being furnished by Abbott to St. Jude Medical shareholders as a prospectus in connection with the issuance of Abbott shares in the first merger.

You are cordially invited to attend the shareholders' meeting on October 26, 2016, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time). The meeting will be held at the Minnesota History Center, located at 345 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55102. The location is accessible to handicapped persons. To attend the shareholders' meeting in person, you will need to register for the shareholders' meeting and bring an admission ticket and a form of valid government-issued photo identification. You can print an admission ticket in advance by visiting www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions there. In addition, you will need the 16-digit control number to access www.proxyvote.com. You can find your control number on your proxy card included with this proxy statement, or on your voting instruction card if you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee. If you are not a holder of record as of the close of business on the record date, you may be admitted to the meeting only if you have a valid legal proxy from a holder of record as of the close of business on the record date who has obtained an admission ticket. You must present that proxy and admission ticket, as well as a form of valid government-issued photo identification, at the entrance to the meeting.

St. Jude Medical will commence mailing this proxy statement/prospectus and the forms of proxy on or about September 26, 2016 to holders of St. Jude Medical shares as of the close of business on September 16, 2016, the record date for the meeting.

Proxies and Voting Procedures

Your vote is important. Because many shareholders cannot attend the shareholders' meeting in person, it is necessary that a large number be represented by proxy. If you are a shareholder of record as of the close of business on the record date, you can give a proxy to be voted at the meeting in any of the following ways:

•: Electronically, using the Internet, by following the Internet voting instructions on the proxy card at any time up until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 25, 2016;
•: Over the telephone by following the telephone voting instructions included in the proxy card at any time up until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 25, 2016; or
•: By mail by marking, dating and signing your proxy card in accordance with the instructions on it and returning it by mail in the preaddressed reply envelope provided with the proxy materials.

The telephone and Internet voting procedures have been set up for your convenience. The procedures have been designed to authenticate your identity, to allow you to give voting instructions and to confirm that those instructions have been recorded properly. If you are a shareholder of record and would like to submit your proxy by telephone or Internet, please refer to the specific instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card. If you wish to submit your proxy by mail, please return your signed proxy card before the meeting. Additionally, shareholders of record that satisfy the admission requirements to the shareholders' meeting, may vote their shares in person at the meeting. However, even if you plan to attend the shareholders' meeting, we encourage you to vote in advance by Internet, telephone or mail so that your vote will be counted in the event you later decide not to attend the shareholders' meeting. If you are a shareholder of record and sign and return your proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or Internet and do not indicate how your shares should be voted on any particular matter, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted in accordance with the

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recommendation of the St. Jude Medical board of directors on that matter, as set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus.

If your St. Jude Medical shares are held in the name of a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, then the bank, brokerage firm or other nominee is considered to be the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, and you must vote your shares in the manner prescribed by the bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. Your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee will provide a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the bank, brokerage firm or other nominee how to vote your shares. If your St. Jude Medical shares are held in the name of a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to be able to vote in person at the meeting.

If you are a shareholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy by:

•: filing a written statement to that effect with St. Jude Medical's corporate secretary, at or before the taking of the vote at the shareholders' meeting;
•: voting again via the Internet or telephone at a later time before the closing of those voting facilities at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 25, 2016;
•: submitting a properly signed proxy card with a later date that is received at or prior to the shareholders' meeting; or
•: attending the shareholders' meeting, revoking your proxy and voting in person.

The written revocation statement or subsequent proxy should be delivered to St. Jude Medical, Inc., One St. Jude Medical Drive, St. Paul, MN 55117, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or hand delivered to the Corporate Secretary, before the taking of the vote at the shareholders' meeting. If you are a beneficial owner and hold shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker, bank or other nominee. You may also change your vote or revoke your voting instructions in person at the shareholders' meeting if you have, prior to the meeting, obtained a signed proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee giving you the right to vote the shares.

All the St. Jude Medical shares that you own beneficially or of record that are entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting and represented by properly completed proxies received before the meeting and not revoked will be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions.

If any other matters are properly presented at the shareholders' meeting for consideration, the persons named as proxies will have discretion to vote on those matters according to their best judgment to the same extent as the person delivering the proxy would be entitled to vote. At the date this proxy statement/prospectus was printed, St. Jude Medical did not anticipate that any matters other than those set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders would be raised at the meeting.

Shareholders Entitled to Vote

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the shareholders' meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the meeting, and there is no cumulative voting. At the close of business on the record date, September 16, 2016, there were approximately 285,587,582 St. Jude Medical shares outstanding and, therefore, entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting.

Required Vote

The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote at the shareholders' meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

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Abstentions and broker "non-votes" are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A so-called broker "non-vote" results when banks, brokerage firms and other nominees return a valid proxy but do not vote on a particular proposal because they do not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter and have not received specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares. In accordance with the rules of the NYSE, banks, brokerage firms and other nominees who hold St. Jude Medical shares in street name for their customers have authority to vote on "routine" proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. However, banks, brokerage firms and other nominees are precluded from exercising their voting discretion with respect to non-routine matters, such as approval of the merger agreement, and each other matter to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting as described in this proxy statement/prospectus, except for the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016. As a result, absent specific instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares, banks, brokerage firms and other nominees are not empowered to vote such shares other than as set forth above. The effect of not instructing your broker how you wish your shares to be voted will be the same as a vote "AGAINST" approval of the merger agreement and the declassification proposal, and will not have an effect on the other matters to be voted on at the shareholders' meeting (other than the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016, which your broker can vote on using its voting discretion). Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon. St. Jude Medical shareholders who do not vote in favor of the proposal to approve the merger agreement will have the right to assert dissenters' rights if they deliver a demand for dissenters' rights before the vote is taken on the merger agreement and comply with all the requirements of Minnesota law, which are summarized in the section entitled "Dissenters' Rights of St. Jude Medical Shareholders" and reproduced in their entirety in Annex F hereto.

Approval of each of (i) the proposal to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, certain compensation arrangements for St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in connection with the mergers contemplated by the merger agreement; (ii) the proposal to approve by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation of St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in 2015; (iii) the proposal to approve the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan; (iv) the proposal to approve amendments to St. Jude Medical's bylaws to implement proxy access; (v) the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016; (vi) the proposal for adjournment of the shareholders meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the shareholders' meeting to approve the merger agreement; and (vii) the shareholder proposal regarding supermajority voting if properly presented at the meeting, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on such proposal, so long as the total number of shares voted in favor of each proposal is greater than 25% of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares entitled to vote thereon and a quorum is present at the outset of the meeting.

In an uncontested election (where the number of St. Jude Medical director nominees does not exceed the number of directors to be elected), a director is elected if the number of votes cast "FOR" a director exceeds the number of votes cast "AGAINST" the election of that director, so long as a quorum is present. To address a holdover provision in Minnesota law that allows a director who has not been re-elected to remain in office until a successor is identified, St. Jude Medical's principles of corporate governance require that any director nominee who receives a greater number of votes "AGAINST" his or her election than votes "FOR" such election must promptly offer to tender his or

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her resignation following certification of the shareholder vote. If such a resignation is tendered, the governance and nominating committee of the St. Jude Medical board of directors, which we refer to as the governance and nominating committee, will consider the resignation offer and recommend to the St. Jude Medical board of directors whether to accept it. The St. Jude Medical board of directors will act on the governance and nominating committee's recommendation within 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote and will promptly disclose its decision on whether to accept the director's resignation offer (or the reasons for rejecting the resignation offer, if applicable) in a press release. Any director who offers to tender his or her resignation as described above will not participate in the governance and nominating committee's recommendation or the St. Jude Medical board of directors' decision of whether to accept the resignation offer.

At any meeting for which the number of St. Jude Medical director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, St. Jude Medical directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present and entitled to vote on the election of directors. This means that if St. Jude Medical shareholders are electing three directors, the three director nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.

Shareholders of Record and Beneficial Owners. Because each of the affirmative votes required to approve the merger agreement and to approve the declassification proposal is based on the total number of outstanding St. Jude Medical shares, if you fail to submit a proxy or vote in person at the shareholders' meeting, or vote to abstain, or you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions, as applicable, it will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" approval of each of these proposals.

Shareholders of Record. If you are a record holder of St. Jude Medical shares and your shares are present at the shareholders' meeting (whether due to your presence at the meeting or representation of your shares by proxy at the meeting) but your shares are not voted in person, or are voted to abstain, this will have the effect of a vote "AGAINST" each such proposal on which you did not vote or voted to abstain, except in the case of a vote to abstain on the proposal to elect three members to the St. Jude Medical board of directors for terms ending in 2019, which will have no effect on the approval of such proposal.

Cost of Proxy Solicitation

St. Jude Medical has engaged Innisfree M&A Incorporated at an estimated cost of $50,000, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses, to assist in the solicitation of proxies from brokers, nominees, institutions and individuals. Proxies may also be solicited on St. Jude Medical's behalf by St. Jude Medical's directors, officers or employees (for no additional compensation). Arrangements will also be made with custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding a notice or printed proxy materials, as applicable, to beneficial owners of shares held of record by such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, and St. Jude Medical will reimburse such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.

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THE PARTIES TO THE MERGERS

St. Jude Medical, Inc.
One St. Jude Medical Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55117
(651) 756-4347

Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400
(224) 667-6100

Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, is a diversified global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 74,000 people. Abbott shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "ABT." Abbott shares are also listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange and traded on various regional and electronic exchanges. Outside of the United States, Abbott shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange. The ticker symbol for Abbott shares on such other exchanges is also "ABT."

Vault Merger Sub, Inc.
c/o Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400
(224) 667-6100

Vault Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott, was formed solely for the purpose of facilitating the first merger. Vault Merger Sub, Inc. has not carried on any activities or operations to date, except for those activities incidental to its formation and undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Vault Merger Sub, LLC
c/o Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400
(224) 667-6100

Vault Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott, was formed solely for the purpose of facilitating the second merger. Vault Merger Sub, LLC has not carried on any activities or operations to date, except for those activities incidental to its formation and undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

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PROPOSAL 1: THE MERGERS

This section describes the mergers. The description in this section and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the mergers that is important to you. You are encouraged to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety. This section is not intended to provide you with any factual information about St. Jude Medical or Abbott. Such information can be found elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and in the public filings St. Jude Medical and Abbott make with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this document, as described in the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

Per Share Merger Consideration

Upon completion of the first merger, each St. Jude Medical share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time (other than those shares owned by Abbott or by any subsidiary of Abbott or St. Jude Medical, or with respect to which dissenters' rights have properly been exercised in accordance with the MBCA) will automatically become the right to receive (i) $46.75 in cash and (ii) 0.8708 of an Abbott share, in each case less any applicable withholding taxes. We refer to (i) and (ii) together as the per share merger consideration; provided that cash will be paid in respect of any fractional Abbott shares, as described in the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Effective Times, Effects of the Mergers; Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers."

However, if dissenters' rights are exercised (and not withdrawn prior to first effective time) with regards to approximately 8.5% or greater of St. Jude Medical shares outstanding as of April 29, 2016, the per share merger consideration will be adjusted such that the aggregate stock consideration is equal to 41% of the sum of the aggregate stock consideration plus the aggregate cash amount, as calculated pursuant to the merger agreement. This potential for adjustment is intended to ensure that the mergers, taken together, satisfy the "continuity of interest" requirement applicable to a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. The adjustment, if it becomes operative, would result in the per share merger consideration for non-dissenting shares being comprised of less cash and more Abbott shares. For example, if there were 284,277,432 St Jude Medical shares outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time, and dissenters' rights were exercised and not withdrawn prior to the first effective time with regards to 10% of such St. Jude Medical shares, then the per share merger consideration for non-dissenting shares would be adjusted to be $46.25 in cash and 0.8821 of an Abbott share. The adjustment calculation is dependent on the specific facts existing immediately before the first effective time. The treatment of fractional shares and tax withholding would not be affected by such adjustment.

In the event that the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares or Abbott shares are changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares, readjustment, or other similar transaction, or a stock dividend thereon is declared with a record date within said period, then the exchange ratio will be appropriately adjusted to provide Abbott and the St. Jude Medical shareholders (including holders of St. Jude Medical stock options) the same economic effect as prior to the event.

Background of the Mergers

From time to time, St. Jude Medical has reviewed and evaluated strategic opportunities and alternatives with a view to enhancing St. Jude Medical shareholder value. These reviews have included consideration, from time to time, of opportunities such as strategic acquisitions and divestitures, business combinations and other financial and strategic alternatives. All current members of the St. Jude Medical board of directors attended all meetings of the board described below in this section,

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including Michael T. Rousseau, who was not a board member at the time of the December 29, 2015 meeting, but was present at that meeting as a representative of St. Jude Medical's management. Also present at all St. Jude Medical board of directors meetings described below, serving as representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team, were Mr. Don Zurbay, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of St. Jude Medical, Mr. John Heinmiller, Executive Vice President of St. Jude Medical, and Mr. Jason Zellers, Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of St. Jude Medical.

On December 15, 2015, members of the respective managements of Abbott and St. Jude Medical met in connection with Abbott and St. Jude Medical's ongoing strategic marketing alliance. That meeting also served as an introductory meeting between Miles D. White, chief executive officer of Abbott, and Michael T. Rousseau, the incoming chief executive officer of St. Jude Medical, in light of Mr. Rousseau's appointment as chief executive officer of St. Jude Medical effective January 1, 2016. During the course of the meeting Mr. White indicated to Mr. Rousseau an interest in discussing a potential business combination between Abbott and St. Jude Medical.

On December 29, 2015, the St. Jude Medical board of directors held a telephonic meeting to discuss further St. Jude Medical's 2016 annual operating plan. Representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team were present. During this meeting, management relayed to the St. Jude Medical board of directors that Mr. White had indicated an interest in discussing a potential business combination between Abbott and St. Jude Medical at the December 15, 2015 meeting regarding the companies' ongoing strategic marketing alliance. In anticipation of the upcoming February 19, 2016 St. Jude Medical board meeting, at which Guggenheim Securities, St. Jude Medical's financial advisor, was scheduled to meet with the board in connection with its annual review of strategic matters and trends within the medical technology sector, the board members and management determined to request that Guggenheim Securities also provide the board with certain financial information pertaining to St. Jude Medical and Abbott and discuss potential strategic alternatives in the event that Abbott presented a proposal regarding a possible business combination.

During the first week of January 2016, Mr. White contacted Daniel J. Starks, former chief executive officer and current executive chairman of St. Jude Medical, regarding a possible business combination between Abbott and St. Jude Medical.

On January 21, 2016, Messrs. White and Starks discussed by telephone the potential strategic merits of a possible business combination. On this call, they agreed to meet in person soon thereafter and discuss and review only publicly available information at such time. On January 23, 2016, Messrs. White and Starks met in person to follow-up on their telephone call. At this meeting, Mr. White indicated that Abbott expected to present St. Jude Medical with a proposal to acquire St. Jude Medical. In those discussions, Mr. Starks indicated that St. Jude Medical was not pursuing a sale, but that St. Jude Medical's management would present any proposal by Abbott to the St. Jude Medical board of directors.

On February 19, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board of directors held a regularly scheduled meeting. In addition to the members of the board, members of St. Jude Medical's management and representatives of Guggenheim Securities and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, St. Jude Medical's outside legal advisor, were present for portions of the meeting. At that meeting, Guggenheim Securities discussed with the St. Jude Medical board certain strategic matters and trends within the medical technology sector, including investment, acquisition and consolidation trends. At the request of St. Jude Medical's board and management, Guggenheim Securities also provided certain financial information pertaining to St. Jude Medical and Abbott and discussed potential strategic alternatives to inform the St. Jude Medical board in the event that Abbott were to present a business combination proposal. The St. Jude Medical board discussed St. Jude Medical's potential strategic options, including continuing to execute on its standalone business plan, potential acquisitions, potential divestitures and potential business combinations. The St. Jude Medical board also discussed whether, in the event it were to receive a proposal from Abbott and determine to engage in a sale process, it should solicit other

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proposals and the potential benefits and risks inherent in contacting other potential buyers. The St. Jude Medical board considered, with input from St. Jude Medical's management and Guggenheim Securities based on their information about the industry, parties that could potentially have the financial resources and strategic interest to pursue a business combination with St. Jude Medical and the likelihood that any of such parties would be able to acquire St. Jude Medical on attractive terms. After such discussion, the St. Jude Medical board concluded that, in the event it were to determine to engage in a sale process, it was unlikely that there would be any companies other than Abbott that would have both the strategic interest and financial resources to acquire St. Jude Medical on attractive terms. The St. Jude Medical board also took into account that, in the event it were to determine to enter into a sale process, the terms of any transaction agreement would not preclude another company from making a competing offer for St. Jude Medical.

Also on February 19, 2016, the Abbott board of directors held a regularly scheduled meeting. Also present at the meeting, serving as representatives of Abbott's management team, were Hubert L. Allen, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Richard W. Ashley, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Jeff Barton, Vice President, Licensing and Acquisitions, Robert Ford, Executive Vice President, Medical Devices, Thomas C. Freyman, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration, and Brian B. Yoor, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. The members of Abbott management reviewed with the Abbott board of directors the proposed acquisition of St. Jude Medical and Mr. Freyman made a presentation to the board regarding the proposed acquisition. Following this review and discussion, the Abbott board of directors authorized Abbott's senior management team to pursue the potential acquisition of St. Jude Medical.

On February 21, 2016, representatives of Evercore Partners, financial advisor to Abbott, called representatives of Guggenheim Securities to suggest a possible indicative purchase price for a business combination between Abbott and St. Jude Medical, based on a mix of cash and stock consideration, in the "upper $70s" per St. Jude Medical share. In accordance with the directives of St. Jude Medical's management, representatives of Guggenheim Securities communicated that St. Jude Medical's management thought it was unlikely that the St. Jude Medical board of directors would be interested in engaging in any discussions at that price level.

On February 23, 2016, Mr. White called Mr. Starks to communicate a preliminary indication of interest for Abbott to acquire St. Jude Medical at an indicative value of $83.00 per St. Jude Medical share, with consideration consisting of 60% in cash and 40% in Abbott shares, subject to due diligence, definitive agreements to be negotiated and Abbott board approval. On that date, the closing price of St. Jude Medical shares was approximately $53.99 per share.

On February 26, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board held a telephonic meeting. Representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team, Guggenheim Securities and Gibson Dunn were present. At the meeting, the terms of the proposal from Abbott were discussed. Guggenheim Securities again discussed certain financial and strategic matters as previously discussed with the St. Jude Medical board at its February 19^th meeting. Representatives of Gibson Dunn reviewed with the St. Jude Medical board its fiduciary duties with respect to a possible transaction. The St. Jude Medical board and its advisors discussed the potential benefits and risks to St. Jude Medical shareholders of a transaction with Abbott as compared to other strategic alternatives, including continuing to enhance shareholder value by operating as an independent, standalone company. After discussion, the St. Jude Medical board authorized St. Jude Medical's management to engage in negotiations with Abbott regarding its proposal, including Abbott's proposed indicative value, as well as to enter into an appropriate confidentiality agreement with Abbott and provide confidential information to Abbott and its advisors.

On February 28, 2016, Abbott and St. Jude Medical entered into a confidentiality agreement to cover discussions regarding a possible transaction and sharing of non-public information.

On February 29, 2016, Mr. Allen, Mr. Ford, Mr. Freyman and other members of Abbott's management team met with Mr. Rousseau, Mr. Heinmiller, Mr. Zurbay, and other members of St. Jude

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Medical's management team to discuss a potential strategic transaction. At this meeting, members of management of St. Jude Medical delivered a presentation covering topics relating to St. Jude Medical's businesses, including financial information and an overview of St. Jude Medical's operations.

On March 1, 2016, Abbott, Evercore Partners and Abbott's legal advisor, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, commenced an initial due diligence review with respect to St. Jude Medical.

On March 13, 2016, on behalf of Abbott, Evercore Partners communicated to Guggenheim Securities, on behalf of St. Jude Medical, an updated proposal for Abbott to acquire St. Jude Medical at an indicative value of $84.00 per St. Jude Medical share, with consideration consisting of 60% in cash and 40% in Abbott shares. As before, the proposal was subject to due diligence, definitive agreements to be negotiated and Abbott board approval.

On March 15, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board held a telephonic meeting. Representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team, Guggenheim Securities and Gibson Dunn were present. At the meeting, the terms of the Abbott proposal were discussed. Guggenheim Securities reviewed preliminarily certain financial aspects of the proposed transaction, including the proposed transaction structure and the use of a fixed exchange ratio to be calculated at signing. Representatives of Gibson Dunn reviewed with the St. Jude Medical board the process and likely timeline for negotiation of a definitive agreement with respect to a transaction. The St. Jude Medical board and its advisors discussed the potential benefits and risks to St. Jude Medical shareholders of a transaction with Abbott as compared to other possible strategic alternatives, including continuing to enhance shareholder value by operating as an independent, standalone company. After discussion, the St. Jude Medical board authorized St. Jude Medical's management to make a counterproposal for Abbott to acquire St. Jude Medical at an indicative value of $85.00 per St. Jude Medical share, based on a mix of cash and stock consideration as outlined by Abbott.

On March 16, 2016, Mr. Starks communicated to Mr. White St. Jude Medical's counterproposal of an indicative value of $85.00 per St. Jude Medical share to Abbott. Mr. White agreed to proceed with its exploration of a possible transaction on those terms, with any agreement subject to, among other things, completion of due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements and Abbott board approval. The parties also discussed the methodology of determining the value of Abbott shares issuable in a transaction, which was proposed to be fixed as of the signing date of any transaction based on the volume weighted average price of Abbott shares for the five trading days ending on the day prior to signing. On that date, the closing price of St. Jude Medical shares was approximately $54.50 per share.

On March 16, 2016, Abbott and its advisors commenced in-depth due diligence with respect to St. Jude Medical. On March 22 and March 31, 2016, Mr. Rousseau, Mr. Heinmiller, Mr. Zurbay, and other members of management of St. Jude Medical made presentations to Mr. Barton, John M. Capek, Executive Vice President, Ventures, Mr. Ford, Mr. Freyman and other members of Abbott management as part of Abbott's due diligence review. At these meetings, members of management of St. Jude Medical delivered presentations covering topics relating to St. Jude Medical's businesses, including financial information and an overview of St. Jude Medical's operations.

On April 6, 2016, Wachtell Lipton, on behalf of Abbott, distributed to Gibson Dunn, on behalf of St. Jude Medical, an initial draft of the merger agreement. The draft merger agreement contained a number of provisions that St. Jude Medical viewed as highly problematic, including Abbott's initial proposals regarding a number of provisions that would allow Abbott to terminate its obligation to complete the transaction in various circumstances and the size of its proposed termination fee in the event of termination of the merger agreement following a change in recommendation by the St. Jude Medical board of directors and certain other circumstances.

From April 10 through April 16, 2016, St. Jude Medical, Abbott and their respective legal advisors engaged in substantial negotiations regarding the terms of the merger agreement, including the matters described above, and the representations and warranties, closing conditions and covenants set forth in the draft merger agreement.

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During this period, Abbott and its advisors also continued their due diligence review of St. Jude Medical. During this time, St. Jude Medical's management provided requested due diligence information to Abbott, responded to questions from Abbott and its advisors and participated in numerous conference calls with Abbott and its advisors regarding diligence matters.

On April 10, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board held a telephonic meeting to consider and discuss the proposed transaction. Representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team, Guggenheim Securities and Gibson Dunn were present. St. Jude Medical's management reviewed with the St. Jude Medical board discussions with Abbott to date and, together with St. Jude Medical's advisors, provided an update on the status of the due diligence process, including the timing and scope of reverse due diligence on Abbott. Representatives of Gibson Dunn reported on the process and expected timing of review of the merger agreement. Representatives of Gibson Dunn also reviewed with the St. Jude Medical board its fiduciary duties with respect to a possible transaction. The St. Jude Medical board and its advisors also discussed the potential benefits and risks of the proposed transaction.

On April 12, 2016, Abbott proposed to St. Jude Medical an adjustment to the mix of consideration, such that the ratio of the proposed consideration would be 55% in cash and 45% in Abbott shares.

On April 12 and April 14, 2016, St. Jude Medical's management and advisors conducted due diligence with respect to the businesses and operations of Abbott in telephonic meetings with Mr. Allen, Mr. Barton, Mr. Freyman, Mr. Yoor and other members of Abbott's management team.

On April 14, 2016, Messrs. White and Starks met for dinner, at which they discussed the status of discussions between the parties.

On April 16, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board held a telephonic meeting. Representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team, Guggenheim Securities and Gibson Dunn were present. At the meeting, Mr. Starks communicated to the board the status of discussions between the parties. St. Jude Medical's management and advisors also described certain significant unresolved points in the merger agreement and the preliminary results of reverse due diligence that had been conducted on Abbott.

From April 16 through April 27, 2016, Abbott and its advisors continued their due diligence review of St. Jude Medical, and from April 22 to April 27, 2016, Abbott, St. Jude Medical and their respective advisors continued to negotiate the terms of the merger agreement. On April 25, 2016, St. Jude Medical's management and advisors conducted a supplemental reverse due diligence session regarding Abbott in telephonic meetings with Mr. Allen, Mr. Barton, Mr. Freyman and Mr. Yoor of Abbott's management team.

On April 25, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board held a telephonic meeting to consider and discuss the proposed transaction. Representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team, Guggenheim Securities and Gibson Dunn were present. Guggenheim Securities reviewed and discussed with the St. Jude Medical board certain financial aspects of the proposed transaction, including the proposed ratio of 55% in cash and 45% in Abbott shares and the methodology for fixing the value of Abbott shares issuable in the merger based on the volume weighted average price of Abbott shares for the five trading days ending on the day prior to signing. Gibson Dunn reviewed and discussed with the St. Jude Medical board the current status and terms of the proposed merger agreement, including the mechanics of the provisions regarding St. Jude Medical's ability to accept superior proposals, the parties' respective rights to terminate the agreement and the size of the termination fee payable by St. Jude Medical in certain circumstances. Gibson Dunn noted that the size of the termination fee remained a significant open issue in the merger agreement. The St. Jude board of directors also was updated regarding reverse due diligence on Abbott.

In final discussions regarding the merger agreement between Messrs. Starks and White on April 27, 2016, Abbott and St. Jude Medical agreed that the termination fee payable by St. Jude Medical in the event that the merger agreement was terminated by St. Jude Medical to accept a

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superior proposal and in certain other circumstances would be equal to approximately 2.75% of St. Jude Medical's equity value.

On April 27, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board held a telephonic meeting to consider and discuss the proposed transaction. Representatives of St. Jude Medical's management team, Guggenheim Securities and Gibson Dunn were present. Gibson Dunn reviewed and discussed with the St. Jude Medical board the final terms of the proposed merger agreement, as well as the fiduciary duties of directors in connection with their consideration of the transaction. Also at this meeting, Guggenheim Securities reviewed with the St. Jude Medical board of directors Guggenheim Securities' financial analysis of the per share merger consideration and rendered an oral opinion, confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated April 27, 2016, to the St. Jude Medical board of directors to the effect that, as of that date and based on and subject to the matters considered, the procedures followed, the assumptions made and various limitations of and qualifications to the review undertaken, the per share merger consideration to be received in the first merger by holders of St. Jude Medical common stock was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. Following the discussion, the St. Jude Medical board unanimously determined that the mergers are fair to, and in the best interests of, St. Jude Medical and its shareholders and declared the merger agreement and the mergers advisable, approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the mergers, and resolved to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement to St. Jude Medical shareholders. The St. Jude Medical board also unanimously determined that it is fair and reasonable and in the best interests of its shareholders to approve cash gross-up payments to certain executives, including the named executive officers of St. Jude Medical, to cover any excise tax that results solely in connection with the mergers.

Also on April 27, 2016, the Abbott board of directors held a telephonic meeting to consider and discuss the proposed transaction. Mr. Allen, Mr. Ford, Mr. Freyman and Mr. Yoor of Abbott's senior management team, Evercore Partners and Wachtell Lipton also participated in the meeting. Wachtell Lipton reviewed and discussed the final terms of the proposed merger agreement, as well as the fiduciary duties of the Abbott board of directors in connection with its consideration of the transaction. Also at this meeting, Evercore Partners reviewed with the Abbott board of directors the financial aspects of the transaction. Following the discussion, the Abbott board of directors approved the transaction and authorized Abbott senior management to execute the merger agreement.

Abbott and St. Jude Medical executed the merger agreement after the closing of trading on the NYSE on April 27, 2016. Abbott and St. Jude Medical announced the transaction with a joint press release prior to the opening of trading on the NYSE on April 28, 2016.

St. Jude Medical Board of Directors' Recommendation and Reasons for the Mergers

At a meeting on April 27, 2016, the St. Jude Medical board unanimously (i) determined that the mergers are fair to, and in the best interests of, St. Jude Medical and its shareholders and declared the merger agreement and the merger advisable, (ii) approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the mergers, and (ii) resolved to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement to St. Jude Medical shareholders.

In evaluating the mergers, the St. Jude Medical board of directors consulted with St. Jude Medical's management and legal and financial advisors and, in reaching its conclusion described above, considered the following factors:

•: the St. Jude Medical board of directors' familiarity with St. Jude Medical's business, operations, financial condition, competitive position, business strategy and prospects, and general industry, economic and market conditions, including the inherent risks and uncertainties in St. Jude Medical's business, in each case on a historical, current and prospective basis;
•: the alternative to the merger agreement of remaining as an independent company, including any potential additional value accruing to shareholders if St. Jude Medical were to remain independent and the risks and uncertainties of whether such additional value would be obtained;

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•: the determination, taking into account the views of St. Jude Medical's management and financial advisor, that Abbott was the party most likely able to acquire St. Jude Medical at the highest price and that other parties were unlikely to have both the strategic interest and financial resources to acquire St. Jude Medical at a higher value;
•: that St. Jude Medical shareholders will be entitled to receive merger consideration that consists of a combination of cash and Abbott shares, providing a combination of liquidity and certainty of value as a result of the cash consideration and the opportunity to share in the future growth and expected synergies of the combined company as a result of the consideration consisting of Abbott shares;
•: that St. Jude Medical shareholders, immediately after completion of the mergers, would hold approximately 14% of the outstanding Abbott common shares;
•: that the implied value of the merger consideration of $85.00 per share based on the volume weighted average price for Abbott shares for the five-day period ended on April 26, 2016 represented a premium of approximately 41% to the closing price of St. Jude Medical shares on April 27, 2016, the trading day prior to the announcement of the mergers, and an approximately 48% premium to the volume weighted average closing price of St. Jude Medical's stock for the 30 trading days ending on April 27, 2016;
•: the then-current financial market conditions and the recent and historical market prices of St. Jude Medical shares, including the market price performance of St. Jude Medical shares relative to those of other industry participants over the last 12 months (see "Comparative Per Share Market Prices and Dividends Information" for information about St. Jude Medical share prices since the first quarter of the 2011 fiscal year);
•: the intended qualification of the mergers as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, as described in the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences;"
•: the opinion, dated April 27, 2016, of Guggenheim Securities to the St. Jude Medical board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of the opinion, of the per share merger consideration to be received in the first merger by holders of St. Jude Medical common stock, which opinion was based on and subject to the matters considered, the procedures followed, the assumptions made and various limitations of and qualifications to the review undertaken as more fully described under the section entitled "—Opinion of St. Jude Medical's Financial Advisor";
•: the fact that St. Jude Medical's strong positions in heart failure devices, atrial fibrillation and cardiac rhythm management complement Abbott's leading positions in coronary intervention and transcatheter mitral repair, such that, following the mergers, Abbott will compete in nearly every area of the cardiovascular market and would, as of April 27, 2016, hold the No. 1 or 2 position across large and high-growth cardiovascular device markets;
•: the St. Jude Medical board of directors' understanding of Abbott's financial position and that the transaction is expected to be accretive to Abbott's earnings in future periods, which would benefit the St. Jude Medical shareholders because they would be receiving Abbott shares in the mergers;
•: the fact that Abbott shares have substantial liquidity in the public markets, giving St. Jude Medical shareholders a high level of certainty of their ability to sell in the open market the Abbott shares they receive in the first merger;
•: the fact that St. Jude Medical shareholders could receive merger consideration with a value greater than $85.00 per share if the value of Abbott shares is more than $43.93 per share as of the closing date;

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•: the fact that the terms of the merger agreement were the product of arms-length negotiations between St. Jude Medical and its advisors, on the one hand, and Abbott and its advisors, on the other hand;
•: the conditions to Abbott's obligation to complete the mergers, including the absence of a financing condition;
•: the structure of the transaction as a merger, requiring approval by St. Jude Medical shareholders, which would provide a period of time prior to the approval by St. Jude shareholders of the mergers during which an unsolicited company acquisition proposal could be made by a third party;
•: St. Jude Medical's ability, under certain circumstances, to furnish information to and conduct negotiations with a third party, if the St. Jude Medical board of directors determines in good faith that the third party has made a company acquisition proposal that is, or is reasonably expected to lead to, a superior proposal;
•: the ability of the St. Jude Medical board of directors to change its recommendation that St. Jude Medical shareholders approve the mergers and the merger agreement if the St. Jude Medical board of directors determines in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement that failure to do so is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with St. Jude Medical's directors' fiduciary duties;
•: the ability of the St. Jude Medical board of directors, in connection with a superior proposal, and subject to the terms of the merger agreement, including payment of a $685 million termination fee, to terminate the merger agreement in order to enter into an agreement with respect to such superior proposal;
•: the belief of the St. Jude Medical board of directors that, taking into account information provided by St. Jude Medical's advisors, the termination provisions and termination fee would not, as a practical matter, prevent an interested third party from submitting an offer to acquire St. Jude Medical that could lead to a superior proposal;
•: the fact that the first merger is subject to the approval of the St. Jude Medical shareholders, who will be free to approve or reject the mergers; and
•: the fact that St. Jude Medical shareholders who do not vote in favor of approval of the merger agreement will be entitled to appraisal rights under Minnesota law.

The St. Jude Medical board of directors also identified and considered a number of uncertainties, risks and other potentially negative factors, including the following:

•: the risks and contingencies related to the announcement and pendency of the mergers, including the potential for diversion of management and employee attention, the impact on St. Jude Medical employees and the potential for increased employee attrition during the period prior to the completion of the first merger, and the potential effect on St. Jude Medical's business and relations with existing and prospective customers, suppliers and business partners, as well as other third parties;
•: the conditions to Abbott's obligation to complete the mergers and the right of Abbott to terminate the merger agreement under certain specified circumstances;
•: the fact that, if the transaction is not completed as a result of regulatory impediments or other reasons, Abbott will not be obligated to pay any "reverse termination fee;"
•: the risks and costs to St. Jude Medical if the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are not completed, including the potential impact on St. Jude Medical's share price and the effect on its business relationships;

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•: the potential impact of the restrictions under the merger agreement on St. Jude Medical's ability to take certain actions during the period prior to the completion of the first merger (which may delay or prevent St. Jude Medical from undertaking business opportunities that may arise pending completion of the first merger);
•: the fact that St. Jude Medical shareholders could receive merger consideration with a value of less than $85.00 per share if the value of Abbott shares is less than $43.93 per share as of the closing date;
•: the fact that the St. Jude Medical shareholders, to the extent of the consideration they receive consisting of cash, will cease to participate in St. Jude Medical's future earnings growth or benefit from any future increase in its value following the mergers and may have tax obligations with respect to the receipt of such cash consideration;
•: the fact that St. Jude Medical shareholders, to the extent of the consideration they receive consisting of Abbott shares, will continue to be subject to the risks of fluctuations in the value of Abbott shares and changes in Abbott's business and financial condition, as well as risks inherent in the industry and the public stock markets;
•: the fact that certain provisions of the merger agreement may have the effect of discouraging proposals for alternative acquisition transactions involving St. Jude Medical, including: (i) the restriction on St. Jude Medical's ability to solicit proposals for alternative transactions, (ii) the limitations on the St. Jude Medical board of directors' ability to change its recommendation to St. Jude Medical shareholders regarding the first merger, (iii) the requirement that St. Jude Medical notify Abbott of alternative acquisition proposals, and (iv) the requirement that St. Jude Medical pay a termination fee of $685 million to Abbott in certain circumstances following termination of the merger agreement;
•: the risk that St. Jude Medical's executive officers may have interests in the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement as individuals that are in addition to, or that may be different from, the interests of St. Jude Medical shareholders;
•: the fees and expenses associated with completing the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;
•: the risk that the expected benefits of the combined company may not be achieved by Abbott;
•: the risks associated with litigation challenging the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and
•: the risks of the type and nature described above under "Risk Factors."

The St. Jude Medical board of directors unanimously recommends that St. Jude Medical common shareholders vote "FOR" the merger proposal.

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the St. Jude Medical board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material information, factors and analyses considered by the St. Jude Medical board of directors. In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the complexity of these matters, the St. Jude Medical board of directors did not find it useful to and did not attempt to quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to these factors. The St. Jude Medical board of directors' recommendation for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement was made after considering the totality of the information and factors involved. In considering the factors described above, individual members of the St. Jude Medical board of directors may have given different weight to different factors.

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Opinion of St. Jude Medical's Financial Advisor

Overview

Pursuant to an engagement letter dated as of March 9, 2016, St. Jude Medical retained Guggenheim Securities to act as its financial advisor with respect to the potential sale of St. Jude Medical. In selecting Guggenheim Securities as its financial advisor, St. Jude Medical considered that, among other things, Guggenheim Securities is an internationally recognized investment banking, financial advisory and securities firm whose senior professionals have substantial experience advising companies in, among other industries, the medical device industry. Guggenheim Securities, as part of its investment banking, financial advisory and capital markets businesses, is regularly engaged in the financial assessment of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, spin-offs/split-offs, restructurings, securities offerings in both the private and public capital markets and valuations for corporate and other purposes.

At the April 27, 2016 meeting of the St. Jude Medical board of directors, Guggenheim Securities rendered its oral opinion, which was confirmed by delivery of a written opinion, to the effect that, as of April 27, 2016 and based on the matters considered, the procedures followed, the assumptions made and various limitations of and qualifications to the review undertaken, the per share merger consideration to be received in the first merger by holders of St. Jude Medical common stock was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

This description of Guggenheim Securities' opinion is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the written opinion, which is attached as Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus and which you should read carefully and in its entirety. Guggenheim Securities' written opinion sets forth the matters considered, the procedures followed, the assumptions made and various limitations of and qualifications to the review undertaken by Guggenheim Securities. Guggenheim Securities' written opinion, which was authorized for issuance by the Fairness Opinion and Valuation Committee of Guggenheim Securities, is necessarily based on economic, capital markets and other conditions, and the information made available to Guggenheim Securities, as of the date of such opinion. Guggenheim Securities has no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on facts, circumstances or events occurring after the date of the rendering of the opinion.

In reading the discussion of Guggenheim Securities' opinion set forth below, you should be aware that such opinion:

•: was provided to the St. Jude Medical board of directors (in its capacity as such) for its information and assistance in connection with its evaluation of the per share merger consideration;
•: and any materials provided in connection therewith did not constitute a recommendation to the St. Jude Medical board of directors with respect to the mergers;
•: does not constitute advice or a recommendation to any shareholder as to how to vote in connection with the mergers or otherwise;
•: did not address St. Jude Medical's underlying business or financial decision to pursue the mergers, the relative merits of the mergers as compared to any alternative business or financial strategies that might exist for St. Jude Medical, the financing of the mergers or the effects of any other transaction in which St. Jude Medical might engage;
•: addressed only the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of such opinion, of the per share merger consideration to the extent expressly specified in such opinion;
•: expressed no view or opinion as to any other term, aspect or implication of the mergers or the merger agreement (including, without limitation, the form or structure of the mergers or the potential adjustment to the aggregate cash consideration as set forth in the merger agreement)

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or any other agreement, transaction document or instrument contemplated by the merger agreement or to be entered into or amended in connection with the mergers or the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the mergers to, or of any consideration to be paid to or received by, the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of St. Jude Medical, Abbott or other participants in the mergers; and

•: expressed no view or opinion as to the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the amount or nature of any compensation payable to or to be received by any of St. Jude Medical's or Abbott's directors, officers or employees, or any class of such persons, in connection with the mergers relative to the per share merger consideration or otherwise.

In the course of performing its reviews and analyses for rendering its opinion, Guggenheim Securities:

•: reviewed an execution version of the merger agreement dated April 27, 2016;
•: reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information regarding each of St. Jude Medical and Abbott;
•: reviewed certain non-public business and financial information regarding St. Jude Medical's businesses and prospects, including certain financial projections for St. Jude Medical, referred to in this section as the "St. Jude Medical Forecast," all as prepared and provided to Guggenheim Securities by St. Jude Medical's senior management;
•: reviewed certain Wall Street equity research analyst financial forecasts regarding Abbott, including certain adjustments thereto and illustrative extrapolations thereof, as discussed with Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's respective senior management (such financial forecasts, including such adjustments and illustrative extrapolations, referred to in this section as the "Abbott Analyst Forecast" and, together with the St. Jude Medical Forecast, as the "Forecasts");
•: reviewed certain estimated incremental financial impacts expected to result from the mergers, including certain potential revenue enhancements, cost savings and estimated financing impacts associated with the mergers, referred to collectively as the "Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts," all as prepared and provided to Guggenheim Securities by Abbott's senior management and reviewed by St. Jude Medical's senior management;
•: discussed with St. Jude Medical's and Abbott's respective senior management their strategic and financial rationale for the mergers, as well as their views of St. Jude Medical's and Abbott's respective businesses, operations, historical and projected financial results and future prospects;
•: reviewed the historical prices, trading multiples and trading volumes of the shares of St. Jude Medical common stock and Abbott shares, referred to, for purposes of Guggenheim's analyses and opinion, as "Abbott common stock;"
•: compared the financial performance of St. Jude Medical and Abbott and the trading multiples of the shares of St. Jude Medical common stock and Abbott common stock with corresponding data for certain other publicly traded companies that Guggenheim Securities deemed relevant in evaluating St. Jude Medical and Abbott, respectively;
•: reviewed the valuation and financial metrics of certain mergers and acquisitions that Guggenheim Securities deemed relevant in evaluating the mergers;
•: performed discounted cash flow analyses for St. Jude Medical and Abbott based on the St. Jude Medical Forecast and the Abbott Analyst Forecast, respectively, and for Abbott on a pro forma combined basis taking account of the mergers and the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts; and

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•: conducted such other studies, analyses, inquiries and investigations as Guggenheim Securities deemed appropriate.

With respect to the information used in arriving at its opinion, Guggenheim Securities notes that:

•: Guggenheim Securities relied upon and assumed the accuracy, completeness and reasonableness of all industry, business, financial, legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, actuarial and other information (including, without limitation, the Forecasts, the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts and any other estimates and other forward-looking information) furnished by or discussed with St. Jude Medical and Abbott or obtained from public sources, data suppliers and other third parties.
•: Guggenheim Securities (i) did not assume any responsibility, obligation or liability for the accuracy, completeness, reasonableness, achievability or independent verification of, and Guggenheim Securities did not independently verify, any such information (including, without limitation, the Forecasts, the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts or any other estimates and other forward-looking information), (ii) expressed no view, opinion, representation, guaranty or warranty (in each case, express or implied) regarding the reasonableness or achievability of the Forecasts, the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts or any other estimates and other forward-looking information or the assumptions upon which they were based and (iii) relied upon the assurances of St. Jude Medical's and Abbott's senior management (as the case may be) that they were unaware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information (including, without limitation, the Forecasts, the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts and any other estimates and other forward-looking information) incomplete, inaccurate or misleading.
•: Specifically, with respect to (i) the St. Jude Medical Forecast and any other estimates and other forward-looking information relating to St. Jude Medical furnished by or discussed with St. Jude Medical, Guggenheim Securities was advised by St. Jude Medical's senior management, and Guggenheim Securities assumed, that the St. Jude Medical Forecast and such other estimates and other forward-looking information utilized in its analyses had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best then-currently available estimates and judgments of St. Jude Medical's senior management as to the expected future performance of St. Jude Medical and (ii) any financial projections, other estimates and/or other forward-looking information obtained by Guggenheim Securities from public sources, data suppliers and other third parties, Guggenheim Securities assumed that such information was reasonable and reliable.
•: As the St. Jude Medical board of directors was aware, Abbott did not furnish Guggenheim Securities with any internally generated stand-alone financial budgets, projections or forecasts regarding Abbott for use in connection with Guggenheim Securities' analyses and opinion. Accordingly, Guggenheim Securities based its forward-looking analyses regarding Abbott on the Abbott Analyst Forecast, as discussed with Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's respective senior management. Guggenheim Securities expressed no view, opinion, representation, guaranty or warranty (in each case, express or implied) regarding the selection of the specific Wall Street equity research analyst reports from which the Abbott Analyst Forecast was derived. Guggenheim Securities understood based on Guggenheim Securities' discussions with Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's respective senior management, and Guggenheim Securities assumed with the consent of St. Jude Medical, that the Abbott Analyst Forecast represented a reasonable basis upon which to evaluate the business and financial prospects of Abbott.
•: Guggenheim Securities was advised by Abbott's senior management, and Guggenheim Securities assumed, that the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best then-currently available estimates and judgments of Abbott's senior management as to such Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts and further assumed that such

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Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts would be realized in the amounts and at the times projected.

•: Guggenheim Securities assumed that the Forecasts and the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts had been discussed with the St. Jude Medical board of directors with the understanding that such information would be used and relied upon by Guggenheim Securities in connection with rendering its opinion.
•: Guggenheim Securities relied upon, without independent verification, the assessments of St. Jude Medical's and Abbott's respective senior management (as the case may be) as to, among other things: (i) matters relating to Abbott's pending acquisition of Alere Inc., referred to as "Alere," including the expected timing and financial terms and implications thereof, (ii) the potential impact on St. Jude Medical and Abbott of market, competitive and other trends in and prospects for, and governmental, regulatory and legislative matters relating to or otherwise affecting, the medical device industry and the pharmaceutical, nutrition and diagnostic industries, including the continuing availability and amount of reimbursement for existing and future products by governmental and third-party payors, (iii) St. Jude Medical's and Abbott's existing and future products and/or product candidates, technology and intellectual property and associated risks (including, without limitation, with respect to the successful development and commercialization of such products and product candidates, approval thereof by relevant governmental authorities, the validity and life of patents and the potential impact of competition), (iv) St. Jude Medical's and Abbott's existing and future relationships, agreements and arrangements with, and the ability to retain and/or replace, key suppliers and other commercial relationships and (v) the ability to integrate the businesses and operations of St. Jude Medical and Abbott. Guggenheim Securities assumed that there would not be any developments with respect to any such matters that would have an adverse effect on St. Jude Medical, Abbott, the mergers or the contemplated benefits of the mergers in any way meaningful to Guggenheim Securities' analyses or opinion.

Guggenheim Securities also notes certain other considerations with respect to its engagement and its opinion:

•

During the course of its engagement, Guggenheim Securities was not asked by the St. Jude Medical board of directors to, and it did not, solicit indications of interest from any third parties regarding a potential transaction with St. Jude Medical.

•

Guggenheim Securities did not perform or obtain any independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities (including any contingent, derivative or off-balance sheet assets and liabilities) of St. Jude Medical, Abbott or any other entity or the solvency or fair value of St. Jude Medical, Abbott or any other entity, nor was Guggenheim Securities furnished with any such appraisals.

•

Guggenheim Securities assumed that the mergers would qualify, for US federal income tax purposes, as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Guggenheim Securities did not express any view or render any opinion regarding the tax consequences of the mergers to St. Jude Medical, Abbott or their respective securityholders. Guggenheim Securities' professionals are not legal, regulatory, tax, consulting, accounting, appraisal or actuarial experts and nothing in Guggenheim Securities' opinion should be construed as constituting advice with respect to such matters; accordingly, Guggenheim Securities relied on the assessments of St. Jude Medical, Abbott and their other respective advisors with respect to such matters.

•

Guggenheim Securities further assumed that:

•: in all respects meaningful to its analyses, (i) the final executed form of the merger agreement would not differ from the execution version that Guggenheim Securities reviewed, (ii) St. Jude Medical and Abbott would comply with all terms of the merger

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agreement and (iii) the representations and warranties of St. Jude Medical and Abbott contained in the merger agreement were true and correct, subject to the qualifications set forth therein, and all conditions to the obligations of each party to the merger agreement to consummate the mergers would be satisfied without any waiver, modification or amendment thereof; and

•: the mergers would be consummated in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement and in compliance with all applicable laws, documents and other requirements, without any limitations, restrictions, conditions, waivers, amendments or modifications (regulatory, tax-related or otherwise) that would have an adverse effect on St. Jude Medical, Abbott, the mergers or the contemplated benefits of the mergers in any way meaningful to Guggenheim Securities' analyses or opinion.

•: Guggenheim Securities did not express any view or opinion as to the price or range of prices at which the shares of St. Jude Medical common stock, the shares of Abbott common stock or the other securities of St. Jude Medical or Abbott may trade or otherwise be transferable at any time, including subsequent to the announcement or consummation of the mergers.

Summary of Financial Analyses

Overview of Financial Analyses

This "Summary of Financial Analyses" presents a summary of the principal financial analyses performed by Guggenheim Securities and presented to the St. Jude Medical board of directors in connection with Guggenheim Securities' rendering of its opinion. Such presentation to the St. Jude Medical board of directors was supplemented by Guggenheim Securities' oral discussion, the nature and substance of which provided context for such presentation.

Some of the financial analyses summarized below include summary data and information presented in tabular format. In order to understand fully such financial analyses, the summary data and tables must be read together with the full text of the summary. Considering the summary data and tables alone could create a misleading or incomplete view of Guggenheim Securities' financial analyses.

The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and involves various judgments and determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant financial analyses and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances involved. A fairness opinion therefore is not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description, and taking portions of the financial analyses set forth below, without considering such analyses as a whole, would in Guggenheim Securities' view create an incomplete and misleading picture of the processes underlying the financial analyses considered in rendering Guggenheim Securities' opinion.

In arriving at its opinion, Guggenheim Securities:

•: based its financial analyses on various assumptions, including assumptions concerning general business and economic conditions, capital markets considerations and industry-specific and company-specific factors, all of which are beyond the control of St. Jude Medical, Abbott and Guggenheim Securities;
•: did not form a view or opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor, whether positive or negative, considered in isolation, supported or failed to support its opinion;
•: considered the results of all of its financial analyses and did not attribute any particular weight to any one analysis or factor; and
•: ultimately arrived at its opinion based on the results of all of its financial analyses assessed as a whole and believes that the totality of the factors considered and the various financial analyses performed by Guggenheim Securities in connection with its opinion operated collectively to

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support its determination as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of its opinion, of the per share merger consideration to be received in the first merger by holders of St. Jude Medical common stock.

With respect to the financial analyses performed by Guggenheim Securities in connection with rendering its opinion:

•: Such financial analyses, particularly those based on estimates and projections, are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by these analyses.
•: None of the selected publicly traded companies used in the selected public companies analyses described below is identical or directly comparable to St. Jude Medical or Abbott, and none of the selected precedent merger and acquisition transactions used in the selected precedent transactions analysis described below is identical or directly comparable to the mergers; however, such companies and transactions were selected by Guggenheim Securities, among other reasons, because they represented or involved target companies which may be considered broadly similar, for purposes of Guggenheim Securities' financial analyses, to St. Jude Medical and Abbott based on Guggenheim Securities' familiarity with the medical device, pharmaceutical, nutrition and diagnostic industries.
•: In any event, the selected public companies analyses and the selected precedent transactions analysis are not mathematical; rather, such analyses involve complex considerations and judgments concerning the differences in business, financial, operating and capital markets-related characteristics and other factors regarding the selected publicly traded companies and precedent merger and acquisition transactions to which St. Jude Medical, Abbott and the mergers were compared. Accordingly, such analyses may not necessarily include all companies or transactions that could be deemed relevant.
•: Such financial analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which any securities may trade at the present time or at any time in the future.

Certain Definitions

Throughout this "Summary of Financial Analyses," the following financial terms are used in connection with Guggenheim Securities' various financial analyses:

•: Adjusted EBITDA: means EBITDA including the impact of stock-based compensation expense.
•: Adjusted EBITDA multiple: represents the relevant company's enterprise value divided by its historical or projected Adjusted EBITDA.
•: Barra predicted equity beta: represents the relevant company's estimated forward-looking equity beta as calculated by Barra, LLC (a subsidiary of MSCI Inc.) based on its proprietary multi-factor equity risk models and which is intended to reflect fundamental changes in the company's underlying risk structure in a timely manner.
•: CAGR: means compound annual growth rate.
•: CapEx: means capital expenditures.
•: Cash EPS: means EPS excluding the impact of amortization expense and certain one-time, non-recurring items.
•: Cash P/E: represents the relevant company's stock price divided by its historical or projected Cash EPS.

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•: EBITDA: means the relevant company's operating earnings (before deduction, in the case of St. Jude Medical, of stock-based compensation and after deduction, in the case of Abbott, of stock-based compensation) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
•: Enterprise value: represents the relevant company's net equity value plus (i) the book value of total debt and non-convertible preferred stock and (ii) the book value of any non-controlling or minority interests less (iii) cash, cash equivalents, and short- and long-term marketable investments, as applicable.
•: EPS: means the relevant company's earnings per share.
•: NTM: means next 12 months.
•: Unlevered free cash flow: means the relevant company's after-tax unlevered operating cash flow minus CapEx and changes in working capital.
•: VWAP: means volume-weighted average share price.

Recap of Implied Merger Statistics

Based on the per share merger consideration comprised, for each outstanding share of St. Jude Medical common stock, of (i) $46.75 in cash and (ii) 0.8708 of a share of Abbott common stock, Guggenheim Securities calculated the implied per share merger consideration as $85.00 per share (based on Abbott's five-day VWAP of approximately $43.93 per share as of, and including, April 26, 2016, the last trading day prior to the date of the merger agreement). Guggenheim Securities then calculated various implied merger-related premiums and multiples as outlined in the table below:

Implied Transaction Statistics at Market
and at Implied Merger Consideration Value of $85.00/Share



Implied Premium/(Discount) Relative to St. Jude Medical's:
Closing Stock Price at April 26, 2016	0%	41%
30-Day VWAP of $57.30	5	48
52-Week (All-time) High (07/21/15)	(26)	5
Enterprise Value/Adjusted EBITDA—Based on St. Jude Medical Forecast:
2016E	12.8x	16.9x
2017E	11.8	15.5
Cash P/E—Based on St. Jude Medical Forecast:
2016E	14.6x	20.6x
2017E	13.0	18.4
Cash P/E—Based on Wall Street Equity Research Estimates:
2016E	14.7x	20.8x
2017E	13.5	19.1

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St. Jude Medical Financial Analyses

St. Jude Medical Recap. In evaluating St. Jude Medical in connection with rendering its opinion, Guggenheim Securities performed various financial analyses which are summarized in the table below and described in more detail elsewhere herein, including a selected public companies analysis, a selected precedent transactions analysis, and an illustrative discounted cash flow analysis. Solely for reference purposes, Guggenheim Securities also reviewed the historical trading price range for St. Jude Medical common stock, Wall Street equity research analysts' price targets for St. Jude Medical common stock and premiums paid in selected precedent healthcare industry transactions announced since 2004 with transaction values in excess of $10 billion. Implied per share equity values reflected in the analyses below were rounded to the nearest $0.50.

Summary of St. Jude Medical Financial Analyses


Implied Per Share Merger Consideration		$	85.00

	Implied Reference Ranges for St. Jude Medical

Financial Analyses	Low		High
Selected Public Companies Analysis:
Based on 2016E Cash P/E	$	70.00		$76.50
Based on 2017E Cash P/E		71.50		76.00
Selected Precedent Transactions Analysis:
Based on NTM Adjusted EBITDA	$	55.50		$67.50
Based on NTM Cash P/E		74.50		86.50
Illustrative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis—Based on St. Jude Medical Forecast:	$	74.00		$114.00
For Additional Reference
St. Jude Medical's Stock Price Range During 52-Week Period Ended April 26, 2016	$	49.00		$81.00
12-Month Wall Street Equity Research Analysts' Stock Price Targets		55.00		65.00
Premiums Paid (25^th to 75^th percentile)		74.00		82.50
Illustrative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis—Wall Street Equity Research Estimates		57.50		89.00

Selected Public Companies Analysis. Guggenheim Securities reviewed and analyzed St. Jude Medical's historical stock price performance, trading metrics and historical and forecasted financial performance compared to corresponding data for selected publicly traded companies that Guggenheim Securities deemed relevant for purposes of this analysis as interventional implant medical device companies with vascular and/or orthopedic product portfolios, 2016 through 2017 estimated revenue growth of less than 10% and market capitalizations in excess of $10 billion. The following nine publicly traded companies, collectively referred to as the St. Jude Medical selected companies, were selected by Guggenheim Securities for purposes of this analysis:

St. Jude Medical Selected Companies

•: Abbott Laboratories
•: Becton, Dickinson and Company

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•: Boston Scientific Corporation
•: C.R. Bard, Inc.
•: Johnson & Johnson
•: Medtronic Public Limited Company
•: Smith & Nephew plc
•: Stryker Corporation
•: Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

Guggenheim Securities calculated, among other things, certain public market trading multiples and revenue and Cash EPS growth rates for the St. Jude Medical selected companies (based on Wall Street equity research estimates, including Wall Street equity research consensus estimates in the case of growth rates, each company's most recent publicly available financial filings and other publicly available information and, in the case of Abbott and Stryker Corporation, pro forma for the impact of certain recent acquisitions), which are summarized in the table below:

St. Jude Medical Selected Companies Trading Multiples and Growth Rates

	Cash P/E

	Cash P/E						2016E - 2017E Revenue Growth⁽¹⁾			2016E - 2018E Cash EPS Growth⁽¹⁾
	2016E			2017E			2016E - 2017E Revenue Growth⁽¹⁾			2016E - 2018E Cash EPS Growth⁽¹⁾
St. Jude Medical Selected Companies:
Abbott Laboratories		20.2	x		17.6	x		5.5	%		12.7	%
Becton, Dickinson and Company		18.3			16.4			4.4			11.3
Boston Scientific Corporation		18.8			16.5			4.9			12.5
C.R. Bard, Inc.		20.6			18.5			5.0			11.3
Johnson & Johnson		17.1			16.1			4.6			6.0
Medtronic Public Limited Company		17.1			15.6			4.0			9.1
Smith & Nephew plc		19.1			17.4			5.0			11.1
Stryker Corporation		18.6			16.5			5.6			8.8
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.		14.6			13.3			3.0			10.3
Statistical Recap:
Mean		18.3	x		16.4	x		4.7	%		10.4	%
Median		18.6			16.5			4.9			11.1
High		20.6			18.5			5.6			12.7
Low		14.6			13.3			3.0			6.0
St. Jude Medical:
Trading Basis
St. Jude Medical Forecast		14.6	x		13.0	x		9.4	%		12.0	%
Wall Street Equity Research Estimates		14.7			13.5			4.2			8.4
Merger Basis ($85.00)
St. Jude Medical Forecast		20.6	x		18.4	x
Wall Street Equity Research Estimates		20.8			19.1

(1): Additional observed data for reference.

In performing its selected public companies analysis of St. Jude Medical, Guggenheim Securities selected reference ranges of trading multiples for purposes of valuing St. Jude Medical on a stand-alone public market trading basis as follows: (i) a 2016E Cash P/E multiple range of 17.0x to 18.5x, which implied a reference range of approximately $70.00 to $76.50 per share of St. Jude Medical common stock, and (ii) a 2017E Cash P/E multiple range of 15.5x to 16.5x, which implied a reference range of approximately $71.50 to $76.00 per share of St. Jude Medical common stock, as compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00.

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Selected Precedent Transactions Analysis. Guggenheim Securities reviewed and analyzed financial metrics associated with selected precedent transactions that Guggenheim Securities deemed generally relevant for purposes of this analysis as precedent transactions announced since 2011 involving either a U.S. acquiror or target company in the medical device industry with transaction values in excess of $5.0 billion and a cash component as part of the transaction consideration. The following six precedent transactions, collectively referred to as the selected precedent transactions, were selected by Guggenheim Securities for purposes of this analysis:

Selected Precedent Transactions

Date Announced	Acquiror	Target Company

10/5/14	Becton, Dickinson and Company	CareFusion Corporation
6/15/14	Medtronic, Inc.	Covidien plc
4/24/14	Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	Biomet, Inc.
5/27/13	Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.	Bausch + Lomb Holdings Incorporated
7/13/11	Apax Partners	Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
4/27/11	Johnson & Johnson	Synthes, Inc.

Guggenheim Securities calculated, among other things, certain implied change-of-control multiples and EBITDA and Cash EPS forward growth rates for the selected precedent transactions (based on Wall Street equity research estimates, each company's most recent publicly available financial filings and other publicly available information), which are summarized in the table below:

Selected Precedent Transactions Multiples and Growth Rates

Target Company

CareFusion Corporation	11.9	x	8.1	%	21.1	x	11.8	%
Covidien plc	14.9		6.6		21.6		11.9
Biomet, Inc.⁽⁵⁾	11.2		4.5		17.0		12.2
Bausch + Lomb Holdings Incorporated	11.8		7.0		17.1		14.9
Kinetic Concepts, Inc.	8.8		5.1		13.0		8.7
Synthes, Inc.	11.1		7.4		20.5		7.6
Statistical Recap:
Mean	11.6	x	6.5	%	18.4	x	11.2	%
Median	11.5		6.8		18.8		11.8
High	14.9		8.1		21.6		14.9
Low	8.8		4.5		13.0		7.6
St. Jude Medical at Implied Per Share Merger Consideration	16.9	x⁽¹⁾	8.8	%⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾	20.6	x	12.0	%⁽³⁾

(1): Reflects transaction value as a multiple of NTM Adjusted EBITDA.
(2): Forward EBITDA and Cash EPS growth rates from calendar year to calendar year + 2. Shown as additional observed data for reference.
(3): Reflects calendar year 2016 to calendar year 2018 estimated CAGR.
(4): Reflects Adjusted EBITDA forward growth rate.
(5): NTM EBITDA and Cash P/E multiples calculated using annualized third quarter fiscal year 2015 statistics.

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In performing its selected precedent transactions analysis of St. Jude Medical, Guggenheim Securities selected a reference range of transaction multiples for purposes of valuing St. Jude Medical on a change-of-control basis as follows: (i) a transaction enterprise value/NTM Adjusted EBITDA multiple range of 12.0x to 14.0x, which implied a reference range of approximately $55.50 to $67.50 per share of St. Jude Medical common stock, and (ii) an NTM Cash P/E multiple range of 18.0x to 21.0x, which implied a reference range of approximately $74.50 to $86.50 per share of St. Jude Medical common stock, as compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00.

Illustrative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Guggenheim Securities performed an illustrative stand-alone discounted cash flow analysis of St. Jude Medical based on projected unlevered free cash flows (after deduction of stock-based compensation) for St. Jude Medical and an estimate of its terminal/continuing value at the end of the projection horizon derived from the St. Jude Medical Forecast for the five-year period ending January 2, 2021. In performing its illustrative discounted cash flow analysis:

•: Guggenheim Securities used a selected discount rate range of 7.05% to 8.45% based on an estimate of St. Jude Medical's weighted average cost of capital. St. Jude Medical's weighted average cost of capital was estimated based on, among other factors, (i) Guggenheim Securities' then-current estimate of the prospective US equity risk premium range of 6.00% to 7.00%, (ii) a review of St. Jude Medical's Bloomberg historical five-year average adjusted equity beta, its Bloomberg historical two-year average adjusted equity beta, its Bloomberg historical one-year average adjusted equity beta and its then-current Barra predicted equity beta (with a bias toward St. Jude Medical's Bloomberg historical average adjusted equity betas given an observed significant decline in Barra beta placing Barra beta measurably below Bloomberg historical average adjusted equity betas) as well as similar equity beta information for the St. Jude Medical selected companies, which resulted in a prospective unlevered equity beta reference range for St. Jude Medical of 0.850 to 0.950, (iii) the interpolated spot-market yield on the 20-year US Treasury bond of 2.35% as of April 26, 2016, as a proxy for the risk-free rate, (iv) St. Jude Medical's assumed target capital structure on a prospective basis and (v) Guggenheim Securities' investment banking and capital markets judgment and experience in valuing companies similar to St. Jude Medical.
•: In calculating St. Jude Medical's terminal/continuing value for purposes of its discounted cash flow analysis, Guggenheim Securities utilized a two-stage terminal/continuing value methodology based on an illustrative reference range of perpetuity growth rates of St. Jude Medical's steady-state terminal year unlevered free cash flow of 1.0% to 2.0%.
•: Guggenheim Securities' illustrative discounted cash flow analysis resulted in an overall reference range of approximately $74.00 to $114.00 per share for purposes of valuing St. Jude Medical common stock on a stand-alone intrinsic-value basis, as compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00.

Abbott Stand-Alone Financial Analyses

Abbott Stand-Alone Financial Analyses Recap. In evaluating Abbott in connection with rendering its opinion, Guggenheim Securities performed various financial analyses which are summarized in the table below and described in more detail elsewhere herein, including a selected public companies analysis and an illustrative discounted cash flow analysis. Solely for reference purposes, Guggenheim Securities also reviewed the historical trading price range for Abbott common stock and Wall Street equity research analysts' price targets for Abbott common stock. Implied per share equity values reflected in the analyses below were rounded to the nearest $0.50. The Abbott Analyst Forecast includes the anticipated impact in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and thereafter of Abbott's pending acquisition of Alere. For purposes of the discounted cash flow analysis below, Abbott's cash and cash equivalents include Abbott's investment in Mylan N.V. based on the

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aggregate number of Mylan N.V. ordinary shares held by Abbott and the closing share price of such shares on April 26, 2016.

Summary of Abbott Financial Analyses


Abbott Closing Stock Price on April 26, 2016		$	43.88

	Implied Reference Ranges for Abbott

Financial Analyses	Low		High
Selected Public Companies Analysis:
Based on 2016E Cash P/E	$	40.50	$	48.00
Based on 2017E Cash P/E		41.00		50.00
Illustrative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis—Based on Abbott Analyst Forecast:	$	40.00	$	65.00
For Additional Reference
Abbott's Stock Price Range During 52-Week Period Ended April 26, 2016	$	36.00	$	51.50
12-Month Wall Street Equity Research Analysts' Stock Price Targets		37.50		45.00

Selected Public Companies Analysis. Guggenheim Securities reviewed and analyzed Abbott's historical stock price performance, trading metrics and historical and forecasted financial performance compared to corresponding data for selected publicly traded companies that Guggenheim Securities deemed relevant for purposes of this analysis as public companies primarily traded in the U.S. with operations principally in the sectors of the medical device, pharmaceutical, nutrition and/or diagnostic industries in which Abbott operates, 2016 through 2017 estimated revenue growth of less than 10% and market capitalizations in excess of $10 billion. The following 10 publicly traded companies, collectively referred to as the Abbott selected companies, were selected by Guggenheim Securities for purposes of this analysis:

Abbott Selected Companies

•: Baxter International Inc.
•: Becton, Dickinson and Company
•: Boston Scientific Corporation
•: C.R. Bard, Inc.
•: Danaher Corp.
•: Johnson & Johnson
•: Mead Johnson Nutrition Company
•: Medtronic Public Limited Company
•: St. Jude Medical (Wall Street Equity Research Estimates)
•: Stryker Corporation

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Guggenheim Securities calculated, among other things, certain public market trading multiples and revenue and Cash EPS growth rates for the Abbott selected companies (based on Wall Street equity research estimates, including Wall Street equity research consensus estimates in the case of growth rates, each company's most recent publicly available financial filings and other publicly available information and, in the case of Stryker Corporation, pro forma for the impact of certain recent acquisitions), which are summarized in the table below:

Abbott Selected Companies Trading Multiples and Growth Rates

	Cash P/E

	Cash P/E						2016E - 2017E Revenue Growth⁽¹⁾			2016E - 2018E Cash EPS Growth⁽¹⁾
	2016E			2017E			2016E - 2017E Revenue Growth⁽¹⁾			2016E - 2018E Cash EPS Growth⁽¹⁾
Abbott Selected Companies:
Baxter International Inc.		29.3	x		24.2	x		3.4	%		18.6	%
Becton, Dickinson and Company		18.3			16.4			4.4			11.3
Boston Scientific Corporation		18.8			16.5			4.9			12.5
C.R. Bard, Inc.		20.6			18.5			5.0			11.3
Danaher Corp.		19.7			18.0			4.0			8.4
Johnson & Johnson		17.1			16.1			4.6			6.0
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company		24.1			22.2			3.6			9.5
Medtronic Public Limited Company		17.1			15.6			4.0			9.1
St. Jude Medical (Wall Street Equity Research Estimates)		14.7			13.5			4.2			8.4
Stryker Corporation		18.6			16.5			5.6			8.8
Statistical Recap:
Mean		19.8	x		17.8	x		4.4	%		10.4	%
Median		18.7			16.5			4.3			9.3
High		29.3			24.2			5.6			18.6
Low		14.7			13.5			3.4			6.0
Abbott		20.2	x⁽²⁾		17.6	x⁽²⁾		5.5	%⁽³⁾		12.7	%⁽³⁾

(1): Additional observed data for reference.
(2): Based on estimates of the impact of Abbott's pending acquisition of Alere as of the anticipated closing date of such acquisition.
(3): Pro forma for full-year anticipated impact of Abbott's pending acquisition of Alere.

In performing its selected public companies analysis of Abbott, Guggenheim Securities selected reference ranges of trading multiples for purposes of valuing Abbott on a stand-alone public market trading basis as follows: (i) a 2016E Cash P/E multiple range of 18.5x to 22.0x, which implied a reference range of approximately $40.50 to $48.00 per share of Abbott common stock, and (ii) a 2017E Cash P/E multiple range of 16.5x to 20.0x, which implied a reference range of approximately $41.00 to $50.00 per share of Abbott common stock, as compared to Abbott's closing stock price on April 26, 2016 of $43.88 per share.

Illustrative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Guggenheim Securities performed an illustrative stand-alone discounted cash flow analysis of Abbott based on projected unlevered free cash flows (after deduction of stock-based compensation) for Abbott and an estimate of its terminal/continuing value at the end of the projection horizon derived from the Abbott Analyst Forecast for the five-year period ending December 31, 2020. In performing its illustrative discounted cash flow analysis:

•: Guggenheim Securities used a selected discount rate range of 7.00% to 8.40% based on an estimate of Abbott's weighted average cost of capital. Abbott's weighted average cost of capital

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was estimated based on, among other factors, (i) Guggenheim Securities' then-current estimate of the prospective US equity risk premium range of 6.00% to 7.00%, (ii) a review of Abbott's Bloomberg historical two-year average adjusted equity beta, its Bloomberg historical one-year average adjusted equity beta and its then-current Barra predicted equity beta as well as similar equity beta information for the Abbott selected companies, which resulted in a prospective unlevered equity beta reference range for Abbott of 0.850 to 0.950, (iii) the interpolated spot-market yield on the 20-year US Treasury bond of 2.35% as of April 26, 2016, as a proxy for the risk-free rate, (iv) Abbott's assumed target capital structure on a prospective basis and (v) Guggenheim Securities' investment banking and capital markets judgment and experience in valuing companies similar to Abbott.

•: In calculating Abbott's terminal/continuing value for purposes of its discounted cash flow analysis, Guggenheim Securities used an illustrative reference range of perpetuity growth rates of Abbott's terminal year unlevered free cash flow of 2.0% to 3.0%.
•: Guggenheim Securities' illustrative discounted cash flow analysis resulted in an overall reference range of approximately $40.00 to $65.00 per share for purposes of valuing Abbott common stock on a stand-alone intrinsic-value basis, as compared to Abbott's closing stock price on April 26, 2016 of $43.88 per share.

Other Financial Reviews and Illustrative Analyses

Guggenheim Securities performed various other financial reviews and illustrative analyses as summarized below which, as a general matter, Guggenheim Securities did not consider to be determinative methodologies for purposes of its opinion, but rather were included as additional reference points or observed data.

St. Jude Medical and Abbott Stock Price Trading Histories. Guggenheim Securities reviewed St. Jude Medical's and Abbott's respective stock price trading histories over the 52-week period ended April 26, 2016. Guggenheim Securities noted that the ranges of stock prices during such period were approximately $49.00 to $81.00 in the case of St. Jude Medical as compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00 and approximately $36.00 to $51.50 in the case of Abbott as compared to Abbott's closing stock price on April 26, 2016 of $43.88 per share.

St. Jude Medical and Abbott Wall Street Equity Research Analyst Stock Price Targets. Guggenheim Securities reviewed selected Wall Street equity research analyst price targets for St. Jude Medical and Abbott, respectively, as published by certain Wall Street equity research analysts prior to April 26, 2016.

•: Guggenheim Securities noted that the range of one-year forward equity research analyst price targets for St. Jude Medical common stock was $60.00 to $71.00 per share, or approximately $55.00 to $65.00 per share on a present value basis using an illustrative discount rate of 9.2% (the approximate midpoint of St. Jude Medical's estimated cost of equity), as compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00.
•: Guggenheim Securities also noted that the range of one-year forward equity research analyst price targets for Abbott common stock was $41.00 to $49.00 per share, or approximately $37.50 to $45.00 per share on a present value basis using an illustrative discount rate of 9.2% (the approximate midpoint of Abbott's estimated cost of equity), as compared to Abbott's closing stock price on April 26, 2016 of $43.88.
•: Guggenheim Securities noted that the public market trading price targets published by Wall Street equity research analysts do not necessarily reflect current market trading prices for St. Jude Medical common stock or Abbott common stock, and such estimates are subject to various uncertainties, including the future financial performance of St. Jude Medical and Abbott, respectively, and future capital markets conditions.

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Premiums Paid. Guggenheim Securities reviewed, to the extent publicly available and based on publicly available information, the implied premiums paid or proposed to be paid in the following 18 selected transactions involving public targets in the healthcare industry announced since January 1, 2004 with transaction values in excess of $10 billion, collectively referred to as the selected premiums paid transactions (listed as acquiror/target):

•: Shire plc/Baxalta Incorporated
•: Pfizer Inc./Allergan plc
•: Aetna Inc./Humana Inc.
•: AbbVie Inc./Pharmacyclics, Inc.
•: Pfizer Inc./Hospira, Inc.
•: Actavis plc/Allergan, Inc.
•: Becton, Dickinson and Company/CareFusion Corporation
•: Merck KGaA/Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
•: AbbVie Inc./Shire plc
•: Medtronic, Inc./Covidien plc
•: Zimmer Holdings, Inc./Biomet, Inc.
•: Actavis plc/Forest Laboratories, Inc.
•: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc./Life Technologies Corporation
•: Express Scripts, Inc./Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
•: Johnson & Johnson/Synthes, Inc.
•: Merck & Co., Inc./Schering-Plough Corporation
•: Pfizer Inc./Wyeth
•: Johnson & Johnson/Guidant Corporation

Based on, among other things, closing stock prices of the target companies involved in the selected premiums paid transactions one trading day prior to public announcement of, or rumors relating to, the relevant transaction, Guggenheim Securities noted that (i) the overall low to high one trading day premiums derived from such transactions were approximately 6% to 42% (with a mean of approximately 27% and a median of approximately 27%) and (ii) applying the 25^th percentile to 75^th percentile of the one trading day premiums derived from such transactions of approximately 23% to 37% to St. Jude Medical's closing stock price one trading day prior to April 26, 2016 indicated an approximate implied per share equity value reference range for St. Jude Medical of $74.00 to $82.50 per share, as compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00 (which implied per share merger consideration indicated a one trading day premium of approximately 41% to St. Jude Medical's closing stock price one trading day prior to April 26, 2016).

Illustrative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis for St. Jude Medical Using Wall Street Equity Research Estimates. Guggenheim Securities performed an illustrative stand-alone discounted cash flow analysis of St. Jude Medical based on projected unlevered free cash flows (after deduction of stock-based compensation) for St. Jude Medical and an estimate of its terminal/continuing value at the end of the projection horizon derived from Wall Street equity research estimates (extrapolated for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2021) and the same methodology described above in the illustrative discounted cash flow analysis for St. Jude Medical utilizing the St. Jude Medical Forecast. This illustrative discounted

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cash flow analysis resulted in an overall reference range of approximately $57.50 to $89.00 per share for purposes of valuing St. Jude Medical common stock on a stand-alone intrinsic-value basis, as compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00.

Illustrative Theoretical Future Stock Price. Guggenheim Securities reviewed implied illustrative ranges of theoretical future values per share, during the period January 1, 2017 through January 1, 2020, of (i) Abbott common stock, pro forma for the mergers, utilizing, in the case of Abbott, the Abbott Analyst Forecast and, in the case of St. Jude Medical, both the St. Jude Medical Forecast and Wall Street equity research estimates and (ii) the St. Jude Medical common stock, on a stand-alone basis, utilizing both the St. Jude Medical Forecast and Wall Street equity research estimates. For purposes of evaluating Abbott common stock pro forma for the mergers, Abbott's contemplated financing to be undertaken in connection with the mergers, the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts and Abbott's projected dividend payments during the forecasted period were taken into account and the cash portion of the per share merger consideration was assumed to be invested in five-year U.S. Treasury notes with an annual interest rate of 1.4%. The illustrative theoretical future per share values were discounted to present value (as of April 26, 2016) utilizing an estimated cost of equity of 9.2% (the approximate midpoint of Abbott's and St. Jude Medical's respective estimated cost of equity). This indicated the following overall illustrative theoretical future values per share, on a present value basis as of April 26, 2016, for Abbott common stock on a pro forma basis and St. Jude Medical common stock on a stand-alone basis:

•: for Abbott common stock, approximately $91.24 to $99.67 per share (based on Abbott's implied 2016E Cash P/E multiple of 20.2x as of April 26, 2016 and the St. Jude Medical Forecast), approximately $90.81 to $97.71 per share (based on Abbott's implied 2016E Cash P/E multiple of 20.2x as of April 26, 2016 and Wall Street equity research estimates for St. Jude Medical) and approximately $88.28 to $94.93 per share (based on Abbott's implied two-year average NTM Cash P/E multiple of 19.0x as of April 26, 2016 and Wall Street equity research estimates for St. Jude Medical); and
•: for St. Jude Medical common stock, approximately $69.54 to $77.37 per share and approximately $66.34 to $67.11 per share based on the St. Jude Medical Forecast and Wall Street equity research estimates, respectively, in each case based on St. Jude Medical's implied two-year average NTM Cash P/E multiple of 16.0x as of April 26, 2016.

Illustrative Value-Based Has/Gets. Guggenheim Securities compared the implied intrinsic value of St. Jude Medical on a stand-alone basis based on the illustrative discounted cash flow analyses for St. Jude Medical described above relative to the implied intrinsic value of the pro forma combined company resulting from the mergers after taking into account, to the extent described below, the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts based on the illustrative discounted cash flow analyses for St. Jude Medical described above and the illustrative discounted cash flow analysis for Abbott described above. This indicated the following implied per share equity values for St. Jude Medical on a stand-alone basis relative to the pro forma combined company:

•: utilizing the St. Jude Medical Forecast and the Abbott Analyst Forecast for purposes of the discounted cash flow analyses referred to above, approximately $74.19 to $113.93 per share (in the case of St. Jude Medical on a stand-alone basis), approximately $80.47 to $104.33 per share (in the case of the pro forma combined company after taking into account Abbott's contemplated financing to be undertaken in connection with the mergers) and approximately $82.72 to $107.89 per share (in the case of the pro forma combined company after taking into account the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts); and
•: utilizing Wall Street equity research estimates for St. Jude Medical and the Abbott Analyst Forecast for purposes of the discounted cash flow analyses referred to above, approximately $57.50 to $88.95 per share (in the case of St. Jude Medical on a stand-alone basis),

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approximately $78.09 to $100.74 per share (in the case of the pro forma combined company after taking into account Abbott's contemplated financing to be undertaken in connection with the mergers) and approximately $80.35 to $104.30 per share (in the case of the pro forma combined company after taking into account the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts).

Illustrative Abbott Cash EPS Accretion/(Dilution). Guggenheim Securities reviewed the illustrative pro forma financial impact of the mergers on Abbott's projected Cash EPS for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2020, utilizing the Abbott Analyst Forecast and Wall Street equity research estimates for St. Jude Medical, after taking into account Abbott's contemplated financing to be undertaken in connection with the mergers and the Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts. Based on the implied per share merger consideration of $85.00, this indicated that the mergers would be accretive to Abbott's projected Cash EPS in each of such fiscal years.

Other Considerations

St. Jude Medical did not provide specific instructions to, or place any limitations on, Guggenheim Securities with respect to the procedures to be followed or factors to be considered in performing its financial analyses or providing its opinion. The type and amount of consideration payable in the first merger were determined through negotiations between St. Jude Medical and Abbott and were approved by the St. Jude Medical board of directors. The decision to enter into the merger agreement was solely that of the St. Jude Medical board of directors. Guggenheim Securities' opinion was just one of the many factors taken into consideration by the St. Jude Medical board of directors. Consequently, Guggenheim Securities' financial analyses should not be viewed as determinative of the decision of the St. Jude Medical board of directors with respect to whether the per share merger consideration to be received in the first merger by holders of St. Jude Medical common stock was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

Pursuant to the terms of Guggenheim Securities' engagement letter, St. Jude Medical has agreed to pay Guggenheim Securities a cash transaction fee (based on a percentage of the aggregate consideration involved in the first merger) upon consummation of the first merger, which cash transaction fee currently is estimated to be approximately $59 million. In connection with Guggenheim Securities' engagement, a cash milestone fee of $2 million became payable to Guggenheim Securities upon execution of the merger agreement, which fee will be credited against the foregoing cash transaction fee. In addition, St. Jude Medical has agreed to reimburse Guggenheim Securities for certain expenses and to indemnify Guggenheim Securities against certain liabilities arising out of its engagement.

Aside from its current engagement by St. Jude Medical in connection with the mergers, during the two-year period prior to the date of its opinion, Guggenheim Securities had not previously been engaged by, provided any investment banking or financial advisory services to or received any investment banking or financial advisory fees from either St. Jude Medical or Abbott. Guggenheim Securities may seek to provide St. Jude Medical, Abbott and their respective affiliates with certain financial advisory and investment banking services unrelated to the mergers in the future, for which services Guggenheim Securities would expect to receive compensation.

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Guggenheim Securities and its affiliates and related entities engage in a wide range of financial services activities for its and their own accounts and the accounts of its and their customers, including: asset, investment and wealth management; insurance services; investment banking, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and restructuring; merchant banking; fixed income and equity sales, trading and research; and derivatives, foreign exchange and futures. In the ordinary course of these activities, Guggenheim Securities or its affiliates and related entities may (i) provide such financial services to St. Jude Medical, Abbott, other participants in the mergers or their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, investment funds and portfolio companies, for which services Guggenheim Securities or its affiliates and related entities has received, and may receive, compensation and (ii) directly or indirectly, hold long or short positions, trade and otherwise conduct such activities in or with respect to certain bank debt, debt or equity securities and derivative products of or relating to St. Jude Medical, Abbott, other participants in the mergers or their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, investment funds and portfolio companies. Furthermore, Guggenheim Securities or its affiliates and related entities and its or their respective directors, officers, employees, consultants and agents may have investments in St. Jude Medical, Abbott, other participants in the mergers or their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, investment funds and portfolio companies.

Consistent with applicable legal and regulatory guidelines, Guggenheim Securities has adopted certain policies and procedures to establish and maintain the independence of its research departments and personnel. As a result, Guggenheim Securities' research analysts may hold views, make statements or investment recommendations and publish research reports with respect to St. Jude Medical, Abbott, other participants in the mergers or their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, investment funds and portfolio companies and the mergers that differ from the views of Guggenheim Securities' investment banking personnel.

Certain St. Jude Medical Unaudited Financial Projections

St. Jude Medical does not as a matter of course make public projections as to future performance, earnings or other results beyond the current fiscal year given the unpredictability of underlying assumptions and estimates. However, St. Jude Medical's management provided internal non-public five-year financial forecasts regarding St. Jude Medical's anticipated future operations to the St. Jude Medical board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the mergers and to Guggenheim Securities for its use and reliance in connection with its financial analyses and opinion as described in the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Opinion of St. Jude Medical's Financial Advisor." We refer to these internal non-public five-year financial forecasts as the projections. The projections also were provided to Abbott during its performance of due diligence in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, although Abbott did not rely on the projections in any material respect in its analysis of the mergers.

The projections were prepared by and are the responsibility of St. Jude Medical's management. The projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure but rather for the purpose of evaluation of the mergers. Accordingly, the projections do not comply with published guidelines of the SEC, the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of financial forecasts, or GAAP. Ernst & Young LLP, St. Jude Medical's independent registered public accounting firm, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the projections and does not express an opinion on or any form of assurance related to the projections. St. Jude Medical included a summary of the projections in this section of the proxy statement/prospectus for the benefit of its shareholders because St. Jude Medical provided such non-public information to its board of directors and financial advisor, and to Abbott. However, the summary of the projections included in this proxy statement/prospectus is not intended to influence a St. Jude Medical shareholder's decision of whether to vote its shares in favor of approval of the merger agreement.

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The projections were based on numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and many of which are beyond the control of St. Jude Medical. In particular, the projections assumed, among other things, that the markets for St. Jude Medical's principal product categories would change at annual rates ranging from slight decreases to increases greater than 10%; that St. Jude Medical's market share would decline slightly in the short term, but exceed current levels in the long term, with the increase in market share largely attributable to incremental revenue from anticipated new product launches; that St. Jude Medical's gross margins would slightly improve, as cost reductions and changes in product mix would be partially offset by pressures on average selling prices; that revenue increases would outpace increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses and that St. Jude Medical would maintain its commitment to high levels of investment in research and development; that St. Jude Medical would continue to pay contractual debt obligations to achieve more normalized leverage ratios, after which modest stock repurchase programs would resume to offset dilution associated with employee stock plans; and that St. Jude Medical's effective income tax rate would not significantly change over time.

Additionally, the projections are inherently forward looking and span multiple years. Consequently, the projections, as with all forward-looking information, become subject to greater unpredictability and uncertainty with each successive year. The assumptions upon which the projections were based necessarily involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and regulatory conditions and financial market conditions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict or estimate and most of which are beyond St. Jude Medical's control. The projections also reflect assumptions regarding the continuing nature of certain business decisions that, in reality, would be subject to change. Important factors that may affect actual results or the achievability of the projections include, but are not limited to, failure to implement St. Jude Medical's business strategy; failure to capitalize on St. Jude Medical's expected market opportunities; lack of regulatory approval and market acceptance of St. Jude Medical's new products, product enhancements or new applications for existing products; regulatory developments in key markets for the company's products; failure to complete St. Jude Medical's clinical trials or failure to achieve the desired results in the clinical trials; inability to successfully commercialize St. Jude Medical's existing and future research and development programs; failure to protect St. Jude Medical's intellectual property; decreased demand for St. Jude Medical's products; product liability claims exposure; failure to otherwise comply with laws and regulations; changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; and other risks and uncertainties described in St. Jude Medical's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, the realization of the results contemplated by the projections may be affected by St. Jude Medical's ability to achieve strategic goals, objectives and targets over the applicable period. This information constitutes "forward-looking statements" and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those projected. See the section entitled "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the projections will be realized and actual results may vary materially from those projected. The inclusion of a summary of the projections in this proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that St. Jude Medical or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives considered or consider the projections to be necessarily predictive of actual future events or results of St. Jude Medical's operations, and, consequently, the projections should not be relied on in such a manner. Neither Abbott, St. Jude Medical nor any of their respective affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives can give any assurance that actual results will not differ from the projections, and neither St. Jude Medical, Abbott, nor any of their respective affiliates undertakes any obligation to update or otherwise revise or reconcile the projections to reflect circumstances existing or developments and events occurring after the date of the projections or that may occur in the future, even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the projections are not realized. St. Jude Medical does not intend to make

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available publicly any update or other revision to the projections, except as otherwise required by law. None of St. Jude Medical nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives has made or makes any representation to any St. Jude Medical shareholder or other person regarding the ultimate performance of St. Jude Medical compared to the information contained in the projections or that the projections will be achieved. St. Jude Medical has not made any representations to Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. or Vault Merger Sub, LLC in the merger agreement or otherwise, concerning the projections.

In light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in the projections, St. Jude Medical's shareholders are cautioned not to place undue, if any, reliance on the information presented in the summary of the projections.

Summary of St. Jude Medical Projections

	Fiscal Year

	2016E		2017E		2018E		2019E		2020E
	(in millions, except per share amounts; all amounts are approximations)
Revenue	$	6,151	$	6,729	$	7,358	$	8,047	$	8,869
Gross Profit		4,281		4,693		5,138		5,625		6,204
EBITDA⁽¹⁾		1,898		2,059		2,242		2,456		2,695
Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾		1,823		1,979		2,157		2,364		2,595
Cash Earnings Per Share⁽³⁾	$	4.13	$	4.62	$	5.18	$	5.79	$	6.46

(1): Defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain income and expenses and excludes impact of stock-based compensation expense.
(2): Defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain income and expenses and includes impact of stock-based compensation expense.
(3): Excludes impact of amortization expense and certain income and expenses.

Certain Abbott Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts

Abbott does not as a matter of course make public projections or estimates as to future performance, earnings or other results beyond the current fiscal year given the unpredictability of underlying assumptions and estimates. However, Abbott's management provided estimates of certain potential revenue enhancements, cost savings and financing impacts expected to result from the mergers to St. Jude Medical's senior management, the St. Jude Medical board of directors and Guggenheim Securities in connection with St. Jude Medical's evaluation of the mergers, as described in the sections entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Background of the Mergers" and "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Opinion of St. Jude Medical's Financial Advisor." We refer to these internal, non-public estimates as the "estimated incremental financial impacts."

The estimated incremental financial impacts were prepared by and are the responsibility of Abbott's management. The estimated incremental financial impacts were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure but rather for the purpose of evaluation of the mergers. Accordingly, the estimated incremental financial impacts do not comply with published guidelines of the SEC, the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of financial forecasts, or GAAP. Ernst & Young LLP, Abbott's independent registered public accounting firm, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the estimated incremental financial impacts and does not express an opinion on or any form of assurance related to the estimated incremental financial impacts. Abbott included a summary of the estimated incremental financial impacts in this section of the proxy statement/prospectus for the benefit of the St. Jude Medical shareholders in their evaluation of the mergers because Abbott provided such

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non-public information to St. Jude Medical's senior management, to the St. Jude Medical board of directors and to Guggenheim Securities. However, the summary of the estimated incremental financial impacts included in this proxy statement/prospectus is not intended to influence any St. Jude Medical shareholder's decision of whether to vote its shares in favor of approval of the merger agreement.

The estimated incremental financial impacts were based on numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and many of which are beyond the control of Abbott. Additionally, the estimated incremental financial impacts are inherently forward looking and span multiple years. Consequently, the estimated incremental financial impacts, as with all forward-looking information, become subject to greater unpredictability and uncertainty with each successive year. The assumptions upon which the estimated incremental financial impacts were based necessarily involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and regulatory conditions and financial market conditions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict or estimate and most of which are beyond Abbott's control. The estimated incremental financial impacts also reflect assumptions regarding the continuing nature of certain business decisions that, in reality, would be subject to change. Important factors that may affect actual results or the achievability of the estimated incremental financial impacts include, but are not limited to: the ability of Abbott to implement its business strategy or its plans, to meet its forecasts and other expectations with respect to St. Jude Medical's business after the completion of the transaction and to realize anticipated synergies or realize anticipated synergies within the expected timeframe; Abbott's ability to obtain financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement on a timely basis and reasonable terms; failure to capitalize on expected market opportunities; lack of regulatory approval and market acceptance of new products, product enhancements or new applications for existing products; regulatory developments in key markets for products; failure to complete clinical trials or failure to achieve the desired results in the clinical trials; inability to successfully commercialize existing and future research and development programs; failure to protect intellectual property; decreased demand for products; product liability claims exposure; failure to otherwise comply with laws and regulations; changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; and other risks and uncertainties described in Abbott's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and St. Jude Medical's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016, their respective subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, the realization of the results contemplated by the estimated incremental financial impacts may be affected by Abbott's ability to achieve strategic goals, objectives and targets over the applicable period. This information constitutes "forward-looking statements" and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those projected. See the section entitled "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimated incremental financial impacts will be realized and actual results may vary materially from those estimated. The inclusion of a summary of the estimated incremental financial impacts in this proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that Abbott or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives considered or consider the estimated incremental financial impacts to be necessarily predictive of actual future events or results of Abbott's operations, and, consequently, the estimated incremental financial impacts should not be relied on in such a manner. Neither Abbott, St. Jude Medical nor any of their respective affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives can give any assurance that actual results will not differ from the estimated incremental financial impacts, and neither St. Jude Medical, Abbott nor any of their respective affiliates undertakes any obligation to update or otherwise revise or reconcile the estimated incremental financial impacts to reflect circumstances existing or developments and events occurring after the date on which the estimated incremental financial impacts were estimated or that may occur in the future, even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the estimated incremental financial impacts are not realized. Abbott does not intend to make available publicly any update or other revision to the estimated incremental financial impacts,

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except as otherwise required by law. None of Abbott, St. Jude Medical or any of their respective officers, directors, advisors or other representatives has made or makes any representation to any St. Jude Medical shareholder or other person regarding the ultimate performance of Abbott following the mergers compared to the information contained in the estimated incremental financial impacts or that the estimated incremental financial impacts will be achieved. Abbott has not made any representations to St. Jude Medical in the merger agreement or otherwise concerning the estimated incremental financial impacts.

In light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in the estimated incremental financial impacts, St. Jude Medical's shareholders are cautioned not to place undue, if any, reliance on the information presented in the summary of the estimated incremental financial impacts.

Summary of Abbott Estimated Incremental Financial Impacts

The estimated incremental financial impacts consisted of:

•: Estimated annual pre-tax synergies of $500 million by 2020, of which: (i) 25% were estimated to come from revenue enhancements, (ii) 25% were estimated to come from gross margin initiatives, and (iii) the remaining 50% were estimated to come from savings in selling, general and administrative expenses; and
•: Estimated financing impacts based on the assumptions that: (i) the cash portion of the merger consideration would constitute 55% of the total merger consideration and would be financed with a mix of balance sheet cash and the proceeds of newly issued debt with an illustrative weighted average interest rate of 4.10% and (ii) St. Jude Medical's indebtedness would be assumed or refinanced by Abbott following the mergers. Additionally, the estimated financing impacts assumed that Abbott could issue $3.0 billion worth of new common shares in the public market at a price of $43.88 per share in order to rebalance its capital structure.

Financing of the Mergers

Abbott anticipates that the funds needed to complete the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be derived from a combination of (i) available cash on hand of Abbott and St. Jude Medical and (ii) third party debt financing, which we refer to as the debt financing, which is expected to include a combination of the following: (a) borrowings under a senior unsecured term loan facility, (b) the issuance of senior unsecured notes or other debt securities, (c) borrowings under a senior unsecured bridge loan facility, and/or (d) borrowings under Abbott's existing credit agreement.

In connection with signing the merger agreement, Abbott obtained a debt commitment letter pursuant to which the commitment parties agreed to provide, under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions, a $17.2 billion senior unsecured bridge loan facility to finance the merger, the repayment of certain existing indebtedness of Abbott and St. Jude Medical and the payment of certain fees and expenses in connection therewith.

Two tranches comprise the bridge facility: (i) a $15.2 billion 364-day unsecured bridge term loan tranche and (ii) a $2.0 billion 120-day unsecured bridge term loan tranche. Each commitment party's commitments with respect to the bridge facility and each commitment party's agreements to perform the services described in the debt commitment letter, will automatically terminate on the earliest of (i) 11:59 p.m. on April 27, 2017 or if the end date (as defined in the merger agreement) is extended to a later date, such later date, but in any event not later than July 27, 2017, (ii) the date on which the definitive loan documents in respect of the bridge facility, and the commitments thereunder, become effective, (iii) the consummation of the mergers without the use of the bridge facility, and (iv) the date of any termination in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement of Abbott's obligations under the merger agreement to consummate the mergers.

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The obligation of the commitment parties to provide debt financing under the debt commitment letter is subject to a number of conditions. These conditions include, among other things: (i) the absence of a material adverse effect (as defined in the merger agreement) on St. Jude Medical from April 27, 2016 to the closing date, (ii) the execution of definitive loan documents with respect to the bridge facility consistent with the debt commitment letter, (iii) the consummation of the mergers substantially simultaneously with the funding of the bridge facility in accordance with the merger agreement without giving effect to any amendments, modifications, supplements or waivers by Abbott thereto or consents by Abbott thereunder that are materially adverse to the commitment parties without their prior written consent, (iv) the repayment and termination of, or obtainment of consents, waivers, amendments or modification to, St. Jude Medical's existing term loan agreement to permit the mergers, (v) the delivery by Abbott of certain financial statements and pro forma financial information, (vi) the accuracy of certain limited representations and warranties and (vii) the delivery by Abbott of certain additional customary documentation. There is a risk that these conditions will not be satisfied and the debt financing may not be available when required. In the event that the bridge facility is not available to Abbott on the terms set forth in the debt commitment letter or Abbott anticipates that the bridge facility will not be available on the terms set forth in the debt commitment letter due to the failure of a condition thereto or for any other reason, Abbott has the right under the merger agreement, subject to certain conditions and limitations, to seek alternative financing. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, no such alternative financing has been arranged. Abbott's obligation to complete the mergers is not conditioned upon the receipt of any financing.

Closing and Effective Times

Unless the parties otherwise mutually agree, the closing of the mergers will occur on the second business day after the day on which the last of the conditions to the closing of the mergers is satisfied or waived (to the extent permitted by applicable law) (other than those conditions that by their nature must be satisfied or waived at the closing of the mergers, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of such conditions).

Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the closing of the mergers described in the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Mergers," including approval of the merger agreement by St. Jude Medical shareholders at the shareholders' meeting, it is anticipated that the mergers will close during the fourth quarter of 2016. It is possible that the mergers could be completed at a different time, or not at all.

The first merger will become effective upon the later of the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the filing of articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota, or at such later time as Abbott and St. Jude Medical agree and specify in these documents. The second merger will become effective promptly after the first effective time, upon the later of the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the filing of articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota, or at such later time as Abbott and St. Jude Medical agree and specify in these documents. These documents will be filed as soon as practicable after the first effective time.

Regulatory Approvals

Under the HSR Act, certain transactions, including the mergers, may not be completed unless the statutory waiting period has expired or been terminated. The HSR Act provides that each party must file a pre-merger notification with the Federal Trade Commission, which we refer to as the FTC, and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice, which we refer to as the DOJ. A transaction notifiable under the HSR Act may not be completed until the applicable waiting periods have expired or been terminated, unless that waiting period is terminated early. Abbott and St. Jude Medical each filed their respective HSR Act notification forms on June 10, 2016. On July 11, 2016,

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Abbott and St. Jude Medical each received a request for additional information from the FTC relating to the mergers. The effect of these requests, which were issued under the HSR Act, is to extend the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act until 30 days after Abbott and St. Jude Medical have substantially complied with the requests, unless the period is extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the FTC.

In addition to the expiry or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, completion of the mergers is conditioned upon all applicable filings, registrations, waiting periods (or extensions thereof) and approvals under the applicable competition laws of specified jurisdictions relating to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement having been made, expired, terminated or obtained, as the case may be.

St. Jude Medical and Abbott have agreed to cooperate with each other and to use their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain the regulatory approvals discussed above. For more information about these cooperation and reasonable best efforts covenants, see the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Regulatory Approvals."

Accounting Treatment

Abbott prepares its financial statements in accordance with GAAP. The mergers will be accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Abbott will be treated as the acquiror for accounting purposes.

NYSE Market Listing

As a condition to consummation of the mergers, the Abbott shares to be issued in connection with the mergers must be listed for trading on the NYSE. Additionally, Abbott intends to maintain upon closing of the mergers the current listings for its shares on the Chicago Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, and SIX Swiss Exchange.

Delisting and Deregistration of St. Jude Medical Shares

If the mergers are completed, St. Jude Medical shares will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the Exchange Act.

Abbott's Dividend Policy

While Abbott cannot assure its future financial performance, it anticipates that it will continue to pay dividends on Abbott shares in the foreseeable future. Most recently, Abbott declared a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per Abbott share, which will be paid on August 15, 2016 to holders of record on July 15, 2016.

Litigation Related to the Mergers

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to correct Abbott's August 2015 statement that Abbott had not evaluated a potential acquisition of St. Jude Medical when Abbott later indicated potential interest in acquiring St. Jude Medical; and (d) St. Jude Medical's directors agreed to certain alleged "deal protection measures" in the merger agreement that, according to plaintiff, are calculated to dissuade potential suitors from making an alternative offer. Although St. Jude Medical is named as a defendant in the Silverman action, no cause of action is asserted against it. Plaintiff purports to assert his claims on behalf of himself and all other public St. Jude Medical shareholders and seeks, among other relief, an injunction precluding consummation of the mergers and damages.

On May 26, 2016, a second action challenging the decision by St. Jude Medical's board of directors to enter into the merger agreement was filed in the Minnesota District Court, Second Judicial District (Ramsey County), entitled Larkin v. Starks, et al., Case No. 62-CV-16-3367, against the members of St. Jude Medical's board of directors, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, LLC, and Vault Merger Sub, Inc. St. Jude Medical is named as a nominal defendant. The plaintiff alleges, among other things, that St. Jude Medical's directors breached their fiduciary duties to St. Jude Medical and its shareholders by entering into the merger agreement, and that Abbott, Vault Merger Sub LLC, and Vault Merger Sub, Inc. aided and abetted that breach of duty. Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that (a) the per share merger consideration is inadequate; (b) the proposed transaction was timed to take advantage of an artificial depression in the market price of St. Jude Medical's publicly-traded shares; (c) the stock component of the merger consideration has decreased in value since the proposed transaction was announced; and (d) certain provisions in the merger agreement allegedly operate to deter any potential superior proposal from a third-party bidder. The plaintiff purports to allege claims on behalf of a class of St. Jude Medical shareholders for breach of fiduciary duty against the members of St. Jude Medical's board of directors and against Abbott for aiding and abetting that alleged breach. The plaintiff further purports to allege claims derivatively, on behalf of St. Jude Medical, against the members of St. Jude Medical's board of directors for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, and "abuse of control." The plaintiff seeks an order enjoining St. Jude Medical from consummating the proposed transaction with Abbott, or rescinding the transaction if consummated, and/or awarding damages.

On June 30, 2016, a purported stockholder of St. Jude Medical filed a putative class action complaint in the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota, captioned Rosenfeld v. St. Jude Medical, et al., Case No. 16-cv-02275-WMW-FLN. The complaint names as defendants St. Jude Medical and the members of St. Jude Medical's board of directors. The complaint alleges, among other things, that St. Jude Medical and its directors failed to disclose all material facts in connection with the proposed merger and made statements in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 that were materially false or misleading in violation of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and Minnesota Statute Section 80A.68. The complaint further alleges that St. Jude Medical's directors are liable for the alleged violation of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act as "Control Persons" under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and that St. Jude Medical and its directors are liable for the alleged violations of Minnesota Statute Section 80A.68 under Minnesota Statute Section 80A.76. The complaint seeks an order enjoining St. Jude Medical from consummating the mergers until additional disclosures are made, rescinding the mergers if consummated, and/or awarding damages.

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by any plaintiffs except through liaison counsel in the consolidated state action. The Court's July 13, 2016 order contemplates that future-filed actions relating to the same subject matter as the consolidated state action will also be consolidated with the consolidated state action.

On August 3, 2016, a purported stockholder filed a putative class action complaint on behalf of himself and other St. Jude Medical shareholders in the Minnesota District Court, Second Judicial District (Ramsey County), captioned Gross v. St. Jude Medical, et al., Case No. 62-CV-16-4581, against St. Jude Medical, the members of the St. Jude Medical board of directors, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc., and Vault Merger Sub, LLC. The complaint alleges that the members of the St. Jude Medical board of directors breached their fiduciary duties to St. Jude Medical shareholders by, among other things, (a) entering into the merger agreement; (b) agreeing to inadequate merger consideration; (c) agreeing to certain alleged deal protection measures in the merger agreement that, according to Gross, are calculated to dissuade potential suitors from making an alternative offer; and (d) failing to disclose all material facts regarding the proposed merger to St. Jude Medical's shareholders. The complaint further alleges that Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC aided and abetted the St. Jude Medical directors' breaches of duties, and that, by allegedly making material misstatements and omissions in this Registration Statement on Form S-4, the members of St. Jude Medical's board of directors and St. Jude Medical violated Minnesota Statutes Sections 80A.68 and 80A.76. The complaint seeks, among other relief, an injunction precluding consummation of the mergers and damages.

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THE MERGER AGREEMENT

This section describes the material terms of the merger agreement. The descriptions of the merger agreement in this section and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex Aand is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the merger agreement that is important to you. You are encouraged to carefully read the entire merger agreement.

Explanatory Note Regarding the Merger Agreement

The merger agreement is included to provide you with information regarding its terms. Neither the merger agreement nor the summary of its material terms included in this section is intended to provide any factual information about Abbott or St. Jude Medical. Factual disclosures about St. Jude Medical and Abbott contained in this proxy statement/prospectus and/or in the public reports of St. Jude Medical and Abbott filed with the SEC (as described in the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information") may supplement, update or modify the disclosures about St. Jude Medical and Abbott contained in the merger agreement. The merger agreement contains representations and warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this nature. The representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement were made only for purposes of the merger agreement as of the specific dates therein, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the merger agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the merger agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the merger agreement and should not rely on the representations and warranties or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the parties thereto or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of representations and warranties may change after the date of the merger agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in Abbott's or St. Jude Medical's public disclosures. Accordingly, the representations and warranties in the merger agreement should not be relied on by any persons as characterizations of the actual state of facts about St. Jude Medical or Abbott at the time they were made or otherwise.

Effective Times, Effects of the Mergers; Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers

Effective Times

The merger agreement provides for two mergers: (i) a merger of Vault Merger Sub, Inc. with and into St. Jude Medical with St. Jude Medical surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott (we refer to St. Jude Medical after completion of the first merger as the first surviving corporation), promptly followed by (ii) a merger of St. Jude Medical, as the first surviving corporation, with and into Vault Merger Sub, LLC with Vault Merger Sub, LLC surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott (we refer to Vault Merger Sub, LLC after completion of the second merger as the surviving company). On the closing date, St. Jude Medical and Vault Merger Sub, Inc. will effect the first merger by filing a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota. We refer to the time at which such first merger becomes effective as the first effective time. At the first effective time, all of the property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of St. Jude Medical and Vault Merger Sub, Inc. will vest in St. Jude Medical as the first surviving corporation, and all of the liabilities, obligations and duties of St. Jude Medical and Vault Merger Sub, Inc. will become liabilities, obligations and duties of St. Jude Medical as the first surviving corporation. Promptly thereafter,

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St. Jude Medical and Vault Merger Sub, LLC will effect the second merger by filing a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota. We refer to the time at which such second merger becomes effective as the second effective time. At the second effective time, all of the property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of St. Jude Medical and Vault Merger Sub, LLC will vest in Vault Merger Sub, LLC as the surviving company, and all of the liabilities, obligations and duties of St. Jude Medical and Vault Merger Sub, LLC will become liabilities, obligations and duties of Vault Merger Sub, LLC as the surviving company.

Effects of the Mergers on Capital Stock

At the first effective time, each St. Jude Medical share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time, other than the canceled and dissenting shares described below, will automatically be converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration of $46.75 in cash, without interest, and 0.8708 of an Abbott share, in each case less any applicable withholding taxes; provided that cash will be paid in respect of any fractional Abbott shares, as described in the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Effective Times, Effects of the Mergers; Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers."

However, if dissenters' rights are exercised with regards to approximately 8.5% or greater of St. Jude Medical shares outstanding as of April 29, 2016, the per share merger consideration will be adjusted such that the aggregate stock consideration is equal to 41% of the sum of the aggregate stock consideration plus the aggregate cash amount, as calculated pursuant to the merger agreement. This potential for adjustment is intended to ensure that the mergers, taken together, satisfy the "continuity of interest" requirement applicable to a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code.

Additionally, at the first effective time, each St. Jude Medical share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time that is owned, directly or indirectly, by (i) Abbott, (ii) any subsidiary of Abbott or (iii) any subsidiary of St. Jude Medical, which shares we refer to as canceled shares, will automatically be canceled and will cease to exist.

Further, at the second effective time, each share of common stock of the first surviving corporation will be automatically canceled and cease to exist. Each limited liability company interest of Vault Merger Sub, LLC issued and outstanding prior to the second effective time will remain outstanding as a limited liability company interest of the surviving company.

No consideration will be delivered in exchange for any canceled shares.

Each St. Jude Medical share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time and held by a person (i) who is entitled to demand and who has properly demanded dissenters' rights with respect to such shares, whom we refer to as a dissenting shareholder, and (ii) who complies in all respects with the provisions of the MBCA concerning the rights of St. Jude Medical shareholders to require payment by the surviving company of the "fair value" of such shares, which we refer to as dissenting shares, will not be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration. Instead, dissenting shares will become the right to receive whatever consideration may be determined to be due to such dissenting shareholder under Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA. If any dissenting shareholder fails to perfect, waives, withdraws or otherwise loses dissenters' rights (or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such holder is not entitled to exercise dissenter's rights), dissenting shares held by such dissenting shareholder will be treated as though such dissenting shares had been converted into the right to receive the merger consideration as of the first effective time. For more information regarding dissenter's rights, see the section entitled "Dissenters' Rights of St. Jude Medical Shareholders." In addition, a copy of Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 are attached as Annex F to this proxy statement/prospectus.

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All St. Jude Medical shares converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration will cease to exist as of the first effective time. St. Jude Medical shareholders will receive cash in respect of fractional Abbott shares to which they are otherwise entitled in connection with the mergers. The total amount of such fractional shares will be aggregated into a number of whole Abbott shares and sold by the exchange agent, as agent for the St. Jude Medical shareholders having an interest in those shares, in one or more transactions. Such St. Jude Medical shareholders will receive cash, without interest, in respect of such fractional shares in an amount equal to each such shareholder's proportionate interest in the aggregate proceeds of such sale or sales by the exchange agent (reduced by any fees of the exchange agent attributable to such sale or sales). We refer to such cash as the fractional share cash amount.

St. Jude Medical shares will, after the first effective time, represent only the right to receive the merger consideration and the right to receive any other amounts expressly provided in the merger agreement, without interest, subject to compliance with the exchange and payment procedures set forth in the merger agreement.

Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company; Directors and Officers

The articles of incorporation and bylaws of St. Jude Medical, as in effect immediately prior to the first effective time (with such modifications as determined by Abbott), will become the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the first surviving corporation.

The individuals holding positions as directors and officers of Vault Merger Sub, Inc. immediately prior to the first effective time will become the initial directors and officers of the first surviving corporation.

At the second effective time, the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of Vault Merger Sub, LLC, as in effect immediately prior to the second effective time, will be the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of the surviving company, except the references to Vault Merger Sub, LLC will be replaced with references to St. Jude Medical, LLC, until further amended in accordance with applicable law.

The individuals holding positions as directors and officers of Vault Merger Sub, LLC immediately prior to the second effective time will become the initial directors and officers of the surviving company.

Exchange and Payment Procedures

Prior to the first effective time, Abbott will enter into a customary exchange agreement in form reasonably acceptable to St. Jude Medical with a nationally recognized financial institution designated by Abbott and reasonably acceptable to St. Jude Medical. Prior to the first effective time, Abbott will deposit with the exchange agent (i) book-entry Abbott shares representing the full number of whole Abbott shares required to deliver the aggregate Abbott share portion of the merger consideration (disregarding for this purpose any adjustments for cash that will be paid in respect of fractional shares) and (ii) cash sufficient to pay the per share cash amount in exchange for outstanding St. Jude Medical shares as determined in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. We refer to such cash and book-entry shares, along with the aggregate amount of any owed dividends or distributions that become due to the holders of converted St. Jude Medical shares, which Abbott will also deposit with the exchange agent, as the exchange fund.

Exchange of Book-entry St. Jude Medical Shares

Each holder of record of St. Jude Medical shares whose shares were held in book-entry form and were converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration will automatically and upon

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the first effective time be entitled to receive, and Abbott will cause the exchange agent to pay and deliver as promptly as practicable after the first effective time (i) the per share merger consideration, (ii) any fractional share cash amount and (iii) the amount of any owed dividends or distributions.

Exchange of St. Jude Medical Share Certificates; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

Within four business days after the first effective time, the exchange agent will mail to each record holder of a St. Jude Medical share certificate a letter of transmittal and instructions for surrendering St. Jude Medical share certificates in exchange for the merger consideration. Upon surrender of a St. Jude Medical share certificate and a duly executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent in compliance with the instructions for surrender, Abbott will, in exchange for such certificates, cause the exchange agent to pay and deliver as promptly as practicable (i) the per share merger consideration, (ii) any fractional share cash amount and (iii) the amount of any owed dividends or distributions.

In the event of a transfer of ownership of St. Jude Medical share certificates that is not registered in St. Jude Medical's transfer records, payment may be made and shares may be issued to a person other than the person in whose name the surrendered St. Jude Medical share certificate is registered, if (i) the St. Jude Medical share certificate is properly endorsed (or otherwise in proper form for transfer) and (ii) the person requesting payment pays any required transfer taxes or establishes to the satisfaction of the surviving company that any required transfer taxes have been paid.

In the event that a St. Jude Medical share certificate was lost, stolen or destroyed, the previous holder of the St. Jude Medical share certificate may still obtain (i) the per share merger consideration, (ii) any fractional share cash amount and (iii) the amount of any owed dividends or distributions to which she or he would be entitled had she or he surrendered the lost, stolen or destroyed St. Jude Medical share certificate by (a) making an affidavit regarding the loss, theft or destruction of the St. Jude Medical share certificate (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Abbott) and (b) posting a bond (in a reasonable amount as determined by Abbott or the exchange agent) as indemnity against any future claims against the surviving company with respect to the lost, stolen or destroyed St. Jude Medical share certificate. The letter of transmittal will include instructions regarding the procedures to be taken by a holder of a certificate if such holder has lost a certificate or if such certificate has been stolen or destroyed.

St. Jude Medical share certificates should not be surrendered by shareholders prior to the first effective time and should be sent only pursuant to instructions set forth in the letter of transmittal that will be mailed to shareholders as soon as reasonably practicable following the first effective time. In all cases with respect to St. Jude Medical shares certificates, the merger consideration will be provided only in accordance with the procedures set forth in such letter of transmittal.

No interest will be paid or accrue on any cash payable upon surrender of any St. Jude Medical share certificates.

Rights of St. Jude Medical Shareholders Following the First Effective Time and Transfers Following the Effective Times

The per share merger consideration paid in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement upon the surrender of certificates or book-entry shares will be deemed to be in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such St. Jude Medical shares (other than the right to receive dividends or other distributions, if any, in accordance with the merger agreement). After the first effective time, there will be no further registration of transfers on the transfer books of the surviving company and any certificates formerly representing St. Jude Medical shares that are presented to the surviving company or the exchange agent for any reason will be canceled and exchanged for the per share merger consideration.

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None of the parties to the merger agreement, the surviving company nor the exchange agent will be liable with respect to any Abbott shares or cash from the exchange fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. Further, any merger consideration remaining unclaimed by former holders of St. Jude Medical shares immediately prior to when such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any governmental authority will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the surviving company free and clear of any claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

Withholding Rights

Abbott, the surviving company, and the exchange agent will each be entitled to deduct and withhold any amounts due under applicable tax laws from the amounts that would otherwise become payable under the terms of the merger agreement, and any such withheld amounts that are paid to the appropriate taxing authorities will be treated as having been paid or issued, as applicable, to the person from whom such amounts were originally withheld. With respect to withholding on payments made to a St. Jude Medical shareholder (including a St. Jude Medical shareholder that received its shares pursuant to the deemed exercise of a St. Jude Medical option), such withholding will be made first from the cash otherwise payable to such holder. If such cash is not sufficient for such purpose, such withholding will be made from the Abbott shares otherwise issuable to the holder (with the Abbott shares valued for this purpose at the fair market value of such shares at the time of the withholding).

Treatment of St. Jude Medical Equity Awards

Treatment of Stock Options

Each surrendered St. Jude Medical option will be deemed exercised pursuant to a cashless exercise and settled by the deemed issuance of a number of St. Jude Medical shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share, but with any partial shares otherwise issuable settled in cash) equal to the difference of (i) the number of St. Jude Medical shares subject to such surrendered St. Jude Medical option as of immediately prior to the first effective time minus (ii) the number of whole and partial (computed to the nearest four decimal places) St. Jude Medical shares that, when multiplied by the "Fair Market Value" (as defined in the applicable plan providing for such award), is equal to the aggregate exercise price of such surrendered St. Jude Medical option. Each St. Jude Medical share deemed issued pursuant to the deemed option exercise will be converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration, less applicable withholding taxes.

Additionally, each option to purchase St. Jude Medical shares granted under a St. Jude Medical share plan and any other compensatory option to purchase St. Jude Medical shares (excluding any option granted under certain employee stock purchase plans) that is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time and is not a surrendered St. Jude Medical option will be assumed by Abbott and converted into an option to acquire, on substantially the same terms and conditions, a number of Abbott shares equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole share) of (i) the number of St. Jude Medical shares subject to such option multiplied by (ii) the stock award exchange ratio, at an exercise price per Abbott share equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of (a) the per share exercise price for the St. Jude Medical shares subject to such assumed option as of immediately prior to the first effective time divided by (b) the stock award exchange ratio. Further, the vesting of each such converted option, to the extent then unvested, will accelerate in full upon the

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second anniversary of the first effective time if the holder of such award remains employed with Abbott or any of its subsidiaries through such date. Upon vesting, settlement will occur at such time as is permitted by applicable law and will be subject to applicable withholding taxes.

The merger agreement defines the "stock award exchange ratio" as the sum of (i) the exchange ratio (as it may be adjusted) plus (ii) the quotient of (a) the per share cash amount divided by (b) Abbott's volume-weighted average closing price for the five consecutive trading days ending on the complete trading day ending immediately prior to the closing.

Treatment of Restricted Share Awards

Each St. Jude Medical restricted share award that is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time will vest as of the first effective time and be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration with respect to each St. Jude Medical share subject to such restricted share award, less applicable withholding taxes.

Treatment of Restricted Stock Units

As described below, certain restricted stock unit awards, or RSU awards, with respect to St. Jude Medical shares will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration and others will be assumed by Abbott and converted into similar Abbott RSU awards. Additionally, Abbott may elect to treat some or all St. Jude Medical RSU awards which otherwise would be assumed and converted into Abbott RSUs as surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards, as defined below, cancel such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards and convert them into the per share merger consideration.

At the first effective time, each surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU award will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration (or, with respect to such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU award that is settled in cash under its existing terms, the cash equivalent thereof) with respect to each St. Jude Medical share subject to such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU award, less applicable withholding taxes.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans

From and after the date of the merger agreement and through the first effective time, there will be no new offering periods under the St. Jude Medical 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or under the St. Jude Medical Employee Stock Purchase Savings Plan maintained for St. Jude Medical employees located in Japan and, thus, any current offering period will be the final offering periods under such plans. Additionally, there will be no increase in the amount of payroll deductions permitted to be made by the participants in either plan during the current offering periods under each plan, except those made in accordance with payroll deduction elections effective prior to the date of the merger agreement. Further, no individuals will be permitted to commence participation in either plan, and the

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accumulated contributions of participants in both plans in each plan's respective current offering periods will be required to be used to purchase St. Jude Medical shares no later than five business days prior to the first effective time, and each plan's participants' purchase rights under such offerings will terminate immediately thereafter.

Representations and Warranties

The merger agreement contains customary and, in certain cases, reciprocal, representations and warranties by St. Jude Medical and Abbott that are: (i) subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in confidential disclosure letters and (ii) qualified by certain information filed by the parties with the SEC, excluding, in each case, any disclosures set forth in any risk factor section or other general statements to the extent they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature.

The reciprocal representations and warranties relate to, among other things:

•: organization, good standing and qualification to do business;
•: corporate authority and approval relating to the execution, delivery and performance of the merger agreement;
•: the absence of any need for action by governmental authorities in order to complete the mergers, other than actions in connection with filing the certificates of merger and articles of merger, compliance with antitrust and securities laws, and compliance with applicable requirements of the NYSE;
•: the absence of any conflict with or violation or breach of organizational documents or any conflict with or violation of agreements, laws or regulations as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of the merger agreement and completion of the mergers;
•: capitalization;
•: subsidiaries' organization, good standing and qualification to do business;
•: the filing or furnishing of reports, forms, documents and financial statements required by the SEC and compliance with certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
•: financial statements;
•: information provided by a party for inclusion in this proxy statement/prospectus;
•: the absence of undisclosed liabilities;
•: the absence of certain material changes or events in the respective businesses of each of St. Jude Medical and Abbott;
•: compliance with applicable laws;
•: investigations, litigations and proceedings; and
•: broker's and finder's fees.

The merger agreement also contains additional representations and warranties by St. Jude Medical relating to, among other things, the following:

•: real estate owned and leased by St. Jude Medical;
•: St. Jude Medical's intellectual property;
•: tax matters;

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•: St. Jude Medical's employment practices and employee benefit plans;
•: the absence of claims against St. Jude Medical pertaining to environmental laws and St. Jude Medical's compliance with such laws;
•: healthcare regulatory matters;
•: St. Jude Medical's significant contracts and agreements;
•: the opinion of St. Jude Medical's financial advisor;
•: the inapplicability of antitakeover statutes;
•: compliance with applicable anticorruption laws; and
•: insurance plans.

The merger agreement also contains additional representations and warranties by Abbott relating to, among other things, the following:

•: commitments for Abbott to obtain the debt financing required to consummate the transaction;
•: the absence of beneficial ownership of St. Jude Medical shares by Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc., and Vault Merger Sub, LLC;
•: tax matters in relation to the transaction; and
•: the absence of a need for a vote of Abbott shareholders to approve the mergers.

The representations and warranties will not survive the mergers. Many of the representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement are qualified by a "materiality" standard or by a "material adverse effect" standard.

A material adverse effect, with respect to St. Jude Medical or Abbott, as applicable, means any effect, change, condition, occurrence or event that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, results of operations or financial condition of the party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) would prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the party to perform its obligations under the merger agreement or to consummate the mergers, excluding, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), any effect, change, condition, occurrence or event to the extent resulting from or arising out of or attributable to (a) the credit, financial or securities markets or general economic or political conditions in the United States or elsewhere in the world, including changes in interest or exchange rates, except to the extent any such effect, change, condition, occurrence or event has a disproportionate adverse effect on the party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other participants in the industries in which the party and its subsidiaries operate, (b) conditions generally affecting the industries in which the party and its subsidiaries operate, except to the extent any such effect, change, condition, occurrence or event has a disproportionate adverse effect on the party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other participants in the industries in which the party and its subsidiaries operate, (c) acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage or terrorism or any escalation or worsening of any such acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage or terrorism, or natural disasters (including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, volcanoes, tsunamis, pandemics or earthquakes), except to the extent any such effect, change, condition, occurrence or event has a disproportionate adverse effect on the party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other participants in the industries in which the party and its subsidiaries operate, (d) any failure by the party and its subsidiaries to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts, predictions, guidance, budgets or internal or published financial or operating predictions of revenue, earnings, cash flow or cash position, (e) changes or proposed changes in law (including changes or proposed changes in generally applicable rules, regulations and administrative policies of the FDA) or GAAP or the authoritative interpretations thereof, except to the

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extent any such effect, change, condition, occurrence or event has a disproportionate adverse effect on the party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other participants in the industries in which the party and its subsidiaries operate, (f) the execution and delivery of the merger agreement, the performance of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the consummation of the mergers and the announcement of the foregoing (other than, for purposes of certain enumerated representations and warranties of each party), including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, partners, employees or regulators, or any litigation arising from allegations of breach of fiduciary duty or violation of law relating to the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (g) any action taken by the party or its subsidiaries that is required to comply with the merger agreement (other than for purposes of certain enumerated representations and warranties of each party), or that is taken with the other party's written consent or at the other party's written request, (h) any change or proposed change in the party's credit ratings or (i) any decline in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the capital stock of the party (it being understood that clauses (d), (h) and (i) will not prevent the underlying cause of any such effect, change, condition, occurrence or event (to the extent not otherwise falling within any of the exceptions provided by clauses (a) through (c), and (e) through (g) hereof) from being taken into account in determining whether there has been a material adverse effect); provided, however, that with respect to a disproportionate adverse effect referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (e), only the incremental disproportionate impact or impacts may be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or would reasonably be expected to be, a material adverse effect.

Conduct of Businesses of St. Jude Medical and Abbott Prior to Completion of the Mergers

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, each of St. Jude Medical and Abbott agreed that, except as expressly contemplated by the merger agreement, subject to certain exceptions or unless the other party approves in writing (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), between the date of the merger agreement and the first effective time, it will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to conduct its business in the ordinary course in all material respects and to the extent consistent with that, will use commercially reasonable efforts to:

•: preserve substantially intact its business organization;
•: maintain in effect all of its material foreign, federal, state and local licenses, permits, consents, franchises, approvals and authorizations;
•: preserve generally its existing business relationships with its key customers, distributors, lenders, suppliers and others having significant business relationships with it;
•: preserve generally its existing relationships with governmental authorities with jurisdiction over its operations; and
•: retain generally its key employees.

Unless approved by the other party in writing (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), each of St. Jude Medical and Abbott also agreed not to, and not to permit any of its subsidiaries to:

•: adopt or publicly propose a plan of complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such a liquidation or dissolution; or
•: take or knowingly fail to take any action that could reasonably be expected to prevent the mergers, taken as a whole, from qualifying as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

St. Jude Medical also has agreed that, except as expressly contemplated by the merger agreement, subject to certain exceptions or unless Abbott approves in writing (such approval not to be

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unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), between the date of the merger agreement and the first effective time, it will not, nor permit any of its subsidiaries to:

•: amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws;
•: split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock;
•: (i) declare or pay any distribution on St. Jude Medical shares (except a quarterly dividend payable to holders of St. Jude Medical capital stock in an amount not to exceed $0.31 per share) or (ii) offer to or redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock, or any other instruments convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its capital stock, which we refer to as St. Jude Medical securities (except for acquisitions of St. Jude Medical shares in connection with certain exercises, settlements or vesting of St. Jude Medical options and St. Jude Medical stock awards in compliance with the merger agreement), in each case subject to an exception for transactions solely among St. Jude Medical and its wholly owned subsidiaries or solely among St. Jude Medical's wholly owned subsidiaries, which we refer to as intercompany transactions;
•: issue, deliver or sell (or authorize any of the forgoing) any St. Jude Medical securities or St. Jude Medical subsidiary securities, other than (a) the issuance of St. Jude Medical shares under certain employee stock purchase plans, (b) upon the exercise of St. Jude Medical stock options or the settlement of St. Jude Medical RSU awards or St. Jude Medical restricted share awards in compliance with the terms of the merger agreement and (c) as part of an intercompany transaction;
•: incur or commit to any capital expenditures in each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 that exceed the amount budgeted in St. Jude Medical's respective 2016 and 2017 capital expenditure plans, in each case by more than 5%, which we refer to as capital expenditure limits;
•: acquire, directly or indirectly, any assets in excess of $5 million individually or $25 million in the aggregate, other than (i) ordinary course purchases of supplies, inventory, merchandise, products and materials (including repurchases), (ii) pursuant to any material contract or agreement in effect as of the date of the merger agreement, (iii) capital expenditures made in accordance with the applicable capital expenditure plan or pursuant to intercompany agreements solely among St. Jude Medical and its wholly owned subsidiaries, or (iv) purchases of securities pursuant to cash management programs made in the ordinary course of business;
•: license, lease or transfer (including sales) any of St. Jude Medical's or its subsidiaries' assets (other than intellectual property rights) that have a fair market value of (or for a purchase price in excess of) $5 million individually or $25 million in the aggregate, other than (i) ordinary course transfers of inventory or equipment to customers; (ii) ordinary course leases or transfers of surplus, worn out or obsolete assets that are no longer used or useful to St. Jude Medical's or its subsidiaries' respective businesses, (iii) transfers solely among St. Jude Medical and its wholly owned subsidiaries, (iv) leases and subleases of real property owned by St. Jude Medical or its subsidiaries and leases or subleases of real property under which St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries is a tenant or subtenant (in each case not involving aggregate lease payments in excess of $5 million individually or $25 million in the aggregate) and (v) sales of securities pursuant to cash management programs in the ordinary course of business;
•: make any investment in any other person or form or acquire any subsidiary that is not wholly owned by St. Jude Medical or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, other than (i) purchases of securities pursuant to cash management programs in the ordinary course of business and (ii) investments in any wholly owned subsidiaries of St. Jude Medical;
•: incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (or any related guarantee), sell any debt securities or enter into, modify or terminate any contract with respect to indebtedness for borrowed money

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(or any related guarantee), except for, in each case, (i) intercompany indebtedness solely among St. Jude Medical and its wholly owned subsidiaries or (ii) certain interim actions with respect to indebtedness as permitted by the merger agreement;

•: enter into certain contracts with restrictions on competing or conducting certain lines of business that grant an exclusivity or "most favored nation" right (subject to certain exceptions);
•: (i) materially modify, terminate or waive, release or assign any material rights under a material contract or (ii) enter into any contract that would have been a material contract to St. Jude Medical had it been entered into prior to the date of the merger agreement, other than, in each case, (a) in the ordinary course of business in a manner not material to St. Jude Medical and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) capital expenditures in accordance with the applicable capital expenditure limit, or (c) certain interim actions with respect to indebtedness permitted by the merger agreement;
•: (i) recognize any material new labor organization or other similar employee representative, or (ii) except as may be required by law, negotiate, enter into, modify or terminate any material collective bargaining agreement or similar instrument that would be a material collective bargaining agreement under the terms of the merger agreement if it were in effect on the date of the merger agreement;
•: grant any equity or equity-based awards (subject to certain exceptions);
•: except as required pursuant to the terms of any St. Jude Medical compensation or benefit plan or other similar arrangement (which we refer to as a St. Jude Medical plan) in effect on the date of the merger agreement, (i) grant any increase in compensation (including gross-up and indemnity obligations) to any current or former employee, director or independent contractor of St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries other than increases in annual base salary or hourly wages during St. Jude Medical's 2017 fiscal year to employees who are not executive officers in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practices (subject to certain limitations included in St. Jude Medical's confidential disclosure letter), (ii) grant or increase any severance, retention or termination payments or benefits to any current or former St. Jude Medical employee, (iii) establish, terminate or amend any St. Jude Medical plan or any similar arrangement that would have been a St. Jude Medical plan if it were in existence on the date of the merger agreement (other than ordinary course amendments consistent with past practice that do not enhance benefits or increase the cost of providing such benefits), (iv) take any action to accelerate funding or any rights or benefits under any St. Jude Medical plan, (v) hire, appoint or promote any employee if the person would have an aggregate annual base salary and target bonus opportunity (excluding commission-based compensation) in excess of $500,000, or hire or promote any independent contractor with annual total compensation that in the aggregate would exceed $500,000, or (vi) change any assumptions used to calculate funding obligations for or change the manner in which or basis on which contributions are made to any St. Jude Medical plan (except as required by GAAP);
•: make any material changes to St. Jude Medical's methods of financial accounting, except as may be required by (i) GAAP (or any authoritative interpretation thereof), (ii) by any applicable law, including Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act, or (iii) any governmental authority or quasi-governmental authority (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization);
•: (i) except in the ordinary course of business, make any material election with respect to taxes, (ii) change any material election with respect to taxes, (iii) amend any material tax return (except as is consistent with the merger agreement or settlement of any claim or assessment described in the following clause (iv)), or (iv) agree or settle any material claim or assessment in

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respect of taxes for an amount materially in excess of the amount reserved therefor on St. Jude Medical's balance sheet as of January 2, 2016 (as included in its fiscal year 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K);

•: settle any pending or threatened legal, administrative or investigative proceeding (other than tax proceedings) except for settlements of non-criminal proceedings that (i) involve monetary payments not exceeding (a) $5 million individually or $25 million in the aggregate (exclusive of any amounts covered by insurance) or (b) the amount (if any) reserved for such proceeding on St. Jude Medical's balance sheet as of January 2, 2016, (ii) do not impose any material restriction on the businesses of St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) do not involve the admission of wrongdoing by St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries, (iv) do not involve any injunctive, equitable or other non-monetary relief (except for insignificant ancillary non-monetary relief), (v) provide for a complete release of the claims in dispute and (vi) do not involve any license, cross license or similar arrangement with respect to St. Jude Medical's intellectual property rights;
•: (i) fail to maintain or defend any challenge to any material registered intellectual property rights owned by St. Jude Medical or its subsidiaries, or to any material intellectual property rights exclusively licensed to St. Jude Medical or its subsidiaries (to the extent it or a subsidiary has the right to take such action or cause such action to be taken), (ii) fail to maintain any contract that licenses material intellectual property rights to St. Jude Medical or its subsidiaries, (iii) disclose to any third party (other than to Abbott or under a confidentiality agreement) any trade secret of St. Jude Medical or its subsidiaries in a way that will lead to loss of trade secret protection (except in connection with a patent application filed by St. Jude Medical or its subsidiaries) or (iv) transfer or otherwise encumber any material intellectual property rights of St. Jude Medical or its subsidiaries other than non-exclusive licenses ancillary to research, development, manufacture, clinical testing, sales, distribution and commercialization activities entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
•: enter into any hedging arrangements other than for purposes of offsetting a bona fide exposure (including counterparty risk);
•: grant any lien (with limited exceptions) on any of St. Jude Medical's material assets other than (i) to secure indebtedness and other obligations to the extent permitted under the interim operating covenant restricting incurrence of indebtedness as described above or (ii) to a wholly owned subsidiary of St. Jude Medical; or
•: agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

Abbott has also agreed that, except as expressly contemplated by the merger agreement, subject to certain exceptions or unless St. Jude Medical approves in writing (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), between the date of the merger agreement and the first effective time, it will not:

•: amend its articles of incorporation or by-laws in a manner that would have a material and adverse impact on the value of Abbott shares or would prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of Abbott to perform its obligations under the merger agreement or to consummate the mergers (except that this covenant does not apply to an amendment to Abbott's articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of any class);
•: declare, set aside or pay any distribution with respect to Abbott shares with a record date prior to closing, except for quarterly dividends in amounts consistent with past practice (including annual adjustments consistent with past practice) consistent with prior timing;

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•: to the extent it would reasonably be expected to materially delay or prevent closing of the mergers, redeem or acquire, or offer to redeem or acquire, any Abbott shares or any other instruments convertible into or exchangeable for any Abbott shares;
•: issue, deliver or sell (or authorize any of the forgoing) a number of Abbott shares that would violate Section 312.03(c) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual if Abbott's shareholders do not approve such action;
•: acquire, directly or indirectly, any assets if any such acquisition, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to materially delay or adversely affect in any material respect the satisfaction of the closing conditions relating to the receipt of specified regulatory approvals; or
•: agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

No Solicitation

Except as expressly permitted by the merger agreement, St. Jude Medical agreed that it will not, and that it will cause its affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors and employees not to (and will use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and its affiliates' other representatives not to), directly or indirectly:

•: solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage any inquiry, proposal, indication of interest or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, a company acquisition proposal (as defined below);
•: approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, a company acquisition proposal;
•: approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, or execute or enter into any alternative acquisition agreement (as defined below);
•: enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any company acquisition proposal; or
•: agree to do any of the foregoing actions.

Under the merger agreement, a "company acquisition proposal" means any inquiry, proposal, indication of interest or offer from any person (other than Abbott and its subsidiaries or affiliates) relating to (i) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of the business or assets (based on the fair market value thereof) (including equity interests in subsidiaries) of St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries representing 15% or more of the consolidated revenues, net income or assets of St. Jude Medical and its subsidiaries, (ii) any issuance, sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, to any person of securities representing 15% or more of the total voting power of St. Jude Medical, (iii) any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person, directly or indirectly, beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding St. Jude Medical shares, (iv) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, share exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or similar transaction involving St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to which any person (or the shareholders of any person) would acquire, directly or indirectly, more than 15% of the consolidated assets of the company and its subsidiaries (based on the fair market value thereof) or more than 15% of the aggregate voting power of the St. Jude Medical or of the surviving entity or (v) any combination of the foregoing, in each case, other than the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Under the merger agreement, an "alternative acquisition agreement" means any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement or other similar agreement relating to any company acquisition proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement that (i) does not contain any provision that

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would prevent St. Jude Medical from complying with its obligation to provide any disclosure regarding a company acquisition proposal to Abbott as required by the merger agreement and (ii) that contains confidentiality provisions no less favorable in the aggregate to St. Jude Medical than the confidentiality agreement in effect between St. Jude Medical and Abbott immediately prior to execution of the merger agreement, except that such confidentiality agreement need not contain a standstill provision or otherwise restrict the making of or amendment or modification of a company acquisition proposal, which we refer to as an acceptable confidentiality agreement).

•: the subject company acquisition proposal: (i) must be written and bona fide, (ii) must have been made after the date of the merger agreement, (iii) must have been received prior to obtaining approval of the first merger and approval of the merger agreement by the St. Jude Medical shareholders, and (iv) must not have resulted from breach of the non-solicitation covenant; and
•: the St. Jude Medical board of directors has determined in good faith, after consultation with St. Jude Medical's outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, (i) that the company acquisition proposal is or is reasonably expected to lead to a superior proposal (as defined below) and (ii) that a failure to furnish information in response to or engage in discussions or negotiations related to the company acquisition proposal is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with St. Jude Medical's directors' fiduciary duties.

Additionally, prior to furnishing such information or engaging in such discussions or negotiations, St. Jude Medical must (i) enter into an acceptable confidentiality agreement with the person or persons making the company acquisition proposal and (ii) promptly (and in any event within 24 hours) following furnishing any such nonpublic information to such person, furnish such nonpublic information to Abbott (to the extent such nonpublic information has not been previously so furnished to Abbott or its representatives).

As used in the merger agreement, a superior proposal means a bona fide written company acquisition proposal made after the date of the merger agreement from any person (other than Abbott and its subsidiaries or affiliates) (with all references to "15% or more" in the definition of company acquisition proposal being deemed to reference "50% or more") which the St. Jude Medical board has, after consultation with St. Jude Medical's financial advisors and outside legal counsel, determined in its good-faith judgment would, if consummated, result in a transaction more favorable to its shareholders from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and is reasonably capable of being completed on the terms proposed, taking into account all financial, legal, regulatory, timing, financing and other aspects thereof that the St. Jude Medical board deems relevant.

Existing Discussions or Negotiations; Required Notification of Abbott

Under the terms of the merger agreement, St. Jude Medical agreed to immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any person regarding a company acquisition proposal that may have been ongoing. Further, St. Jude Medical agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to have any confidential information that might have been provided to any person in connection with any such discussions or negotiations returned to it.

St. Jude Medical also agreed to promptly (and in any event within 24 hours of receipt or knowledge of receipt by a St. Jude Medical officer or director) notify Abbott of the receipt of a company acquisition proposal or any inquiries or proposals with respect to a company acquisition proposal. Such notice must include the identity of the person or persons making the company

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acquisition proposal (or the related proposal or inquiry) and the material terms thereof. Further, after giving such a notice, St. Jude Medical must keep Abbott reasonably informed, on a prompt basis (and, in any event, within 24 hours of receipt or knowledge or receipt by an officer or director of St. Jude Medical) of any material amendments or material developments related to the proposal, inquiry or company acquisition proposal underlying the notice. These updates must include copies of any revised or new documents evidencing or delivered in connection to the proposal, inquiry or company alternative proposal underlying the initial notice.

No Change in Recommendation or Entry into Alternative Acquisition Agreement

Subject to certain exceptions described below, the St. Jude Medical board of directors may not take any action to:

•: (i) withhold or withdraw (or modify or qualify in a manner adverse to Abbott) or propose publicly to withhold or withdraw (or modify or qualify in a manner adverse to Abbott), the St. Jude Medical board of director's recommendation to the St. Jude Medical shareholders to approve the merger agreement, which we refer to as the St. Jude Medical board recommendation, (ii) approve, recommend, or publicly propose to approve or recommend any company acquisition proposal or (iii) following any company acquisition proposal structured as a tender or exchange offer, fail, within 10 business days of the commencement thereof pursuant to Rule 14d-2 of the Exchange Act, to recommend against acceptance of any such tender or exchange offer by the St. Jude Medical shareholders, or subsequently withdraw (or modify or qualify in a manner adverse to Abbott) any such recommendation. We refer to any action in described in (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence as a company adverse recommendation change; or
•: cause or permit St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries to enter into any alternative acquisition agreement.

Fiduciary Exception

However, at any time before the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval is obtained, St. Jude Medical may, subject to the conditions described in the next sentence, (i) make a company adverse recommendation change or (ii) cause St. Jude Medical to enter into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a company acquisition proposal that did not result from a breach of the non-solicitation covenant and terminate the merger agreement (as described more fully below in the section "The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement"). St. Jude Medical may take the actions described in the preceding sentence if and only if, the St. Jude Medical board of directors concludes in good faith, after consultation with St. Jude Medical's outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that (a) in the case of a proposed company adverse recommendation change not made in response to a company acquisition proposal, failure to take such action is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the St. Jude Medical directors' fiduciary duties or (b) in the case of a proposed company adverse recommendation change in response to, or entering into a proposed alternative acquisition agreement with respect to, a company acquisition proposal, such company acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal and failure to take such action is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with St. Jude Medical's directors' fiduciary duties.

Prior to making any company adverse recommendation change and/or causing St. Jude Medical to enter into any alternative acquisition agreement, (i) the St. Jude Medical board of directors must provide Abbott five calendar days' prior written notice of any intention to make such company adverse recommendation change and/or cause St. Jude Medical to enter into any alternative acquisition agreement (including, among other things, the reasons therefor); (ii) during the five calendar days following the delivery of such written notice, St. Jude Medical must negotiate in good faith with Abbott

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regarding any revisions or changes to the merger agreement or the mergers proposed by Abbott; and (iii) after the five calendar days, the St. Jude Medical board of directors must conclude in good faith, after consultation with financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that (a) the company acquisition proposal continues to be a superior proposal (or, if the proposed company adverse recommendation change is not in response to a company acquisition proposal, that failure to make the company adverse recommendation change is reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the St. Jude Medical directors' fiduciary duties) and (b) failure to make a company adverse recommendation change would continue to be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the St. Jude Medical board of directors' fiduciary duties.

In the event of any change in the financial terms of or any material amendment or modification to any superior proposal (or, if the proposed company adverse recommendation change does not relate to a company acquisition proposal, any material change to the underlying relevant facts and circumstances), St. Jude Medical must again satisfy the notice and other requirements set out in the preceding paragraph (except that the five calendar day period will instead be the longer of (i) two calendar days or (ii) the amount of time remaining in the initial five calendar day period).

Additionally, unless the merger agreement has been validly terminated, the St. Jude Medical board must submit the merger agreement for approval by the St. Jude Medical shareholders at the shareholders' meeting required by the merger agreement and described below (regardless of whether St. Jude Medical makes a company adverse recommendation change). In the event there is a company adverse recommendation change made in compliance with the merger agreement and in response to a superior proposal, St. Jude Medical may only enter into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to the superior proposal by concurrently terminating the merger agreement and paying Abbott a $685 million termination fee. We refer to this termination right as the fiduciary termination right.

St. Jude Medical is not prohibited from (i) taking and disclosing to its shareholders a position contemplated by Exchange Act Rule 14e-2(a) or making a statement contemplated by Exchange Act Rule 14d-9 or item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A or (ii) making any disclosure to its shareholders that is required by applicable law. However, if any disclosure or statement contemplated by (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence constitutes a company adverse recommendation change, it is subject to all provisions of the merger agreement applicable to company adverse recommendation changes.

St. Jude Medical Shareholder Meeting

St. Jude Medical has agreed to call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of obtaining the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval, which we refer to as the company shareholder meeting, as promptly as practicable (but in no event later than 50 days) after this registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part is declared effective under the Securities Act. Except as described above with respect to a company adverse recommendation change, the St. Jude Medical board of directors will recommend approval of the first merger and adoption of the plan of merger and approval related transactions in the proxy statement/prospectus. Additionally, St. Jude Medical will use its reasonable best efforts to solicit from its shareholders proxies in favor of the approval of the first merger and adoption of the plan of merger agreement and will take all other action as reasonably necessary or advisable to secure the approval and adoption of the foregoing.

St. Jude Medical may adjourn, recess or postpone the company shareholder meeting, (i) after consultation with Abbott, to the extent necessary to ensure that any required supplement or amendment to the proxy statement/prospectus is provided to its shareholders within a reasonable amount of time in advance of the meeting, (ii) if at the time that the meeting is originally scheduled (as stated in this proxy statement/prospectus) there are insufficient St. Jude Medical shares represented to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the meeting or (iii) to solicit additional proxies if, at the time the meeting is originally scheduled, insufficient St. Jude Medical shares have

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been voted in favor of approval of the merger agreement to obtain the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval contemplated by the merger agreement. However, St. Jude Medical is not permitted to adjourn, recess or postpone the company shareholder meeting for more than 30 days (with respect to any one adjournment or postponement) without Abbott's prior written consent which cannot be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

The parties have agreed that regardless of whether there is a company adverse recommendation change, the St. Jude Medical shareholder meeting will be held unless the merger agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

Financing

Abbott's Financing Obligations

Abbott has agreed in the merger agreement to, and to cause its subsidiaries to, use its and their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to timely arrange and obtain, on the terms and conditions set forth in the financing commitment letters, the proceeds of the debt financing in an amount sufficient, together with other financial resources available to Abbott, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (including making all payments required to be made by Abbott thereunder). In furtherance of the foregoing, to the extent necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, Abbott has agreed to use, and to cause its subsidiaries to use, its and their reasonable best efforts to: (i) maintain in full force and effect the financing commitment letters with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (subject to certain exceptions), (ii) negotiate, execute and deliver (and use reasonable best efforts to cause any other parties to the financing commitment letters to negotiate, execute and deliver) definitive agreements in respect of the debt financing contemplated by the financing commitment letters on the terms and conditions (including, as necessary, "market flex" terms and conditions) contained in the financing commitment letters), which we refer to as the definitive financing agreements and (iii) satisfy on a timely basis all the conditions applicable to Abbott to the funding of the debt financing as set forth in the financing commitment letter or the definitive financing agreements, as applicable, within Abbott's control. In the event that all conditions to the mergers applicable to St. Jude Medical or to both Abbott and St. Jude Medical are satisfied or waived (or upon funding shall be satisfied or waived), Abbott is required to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the commitment parties to fund the debt financing on the closing date, to the extent the proceeds thereof are required to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Further, without the prior consent of St. Jude Medical (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), Abbott is not permitted (subject to exceptions permitting additions to or replacements of lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or similar entities and the implementation or exercise of any market flex provisions contained in the financing commitment letters) to amend or modify, or waive any provision or remedy under, the financing commitment letter or the definitive financing agreements if such amendment, modification or waiver: (i) reduces the aggregate amount of debt financing unless the aggregate amount of the debt financing following such reduction, together with other financial resources available to Abbott, is sufficient to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (ii) expands the conditions or other contingencies relating to the receipt or funding of the debt financing or imposes additional conditions or other contingencies relating to the funding of the debt financing, in a manner that in any such case would reasonably be expected to (a) materially delay funding or make materially less likely the funding of the debt financing (or satisfaction of the conditions to the debt financing) on the closing date, (b) materially adversely impact Abbott's ability to enforce its rights against parties to any financing commitment letter or definitive financing agreement or (c) materially adversely affect Abbott's ability to timely consummate the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

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If funds in the amounts set forth in the financing commitment letter or the definitive financing agreements, or any portion thereof, become unavailable, Abbott will, and will cause its subsidiaries to, as promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event, use its or their reasonable best efforts to obtain substitute financing sufficient, together with other financial resources available to Abbott, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Abbott is also permitted to substitute commitments in respect of other financing from the same and/or alternative third-party financing sources for all or any portion of the debt financing so long as (i) all conditions precedent to the availability of such substitute financing have been satisfied or are no less favorable in any material respect to Abbott than the conditions precedent set forth in the financing commitment letters and (ii) the aggregate amount of the debt financing is not reduced as a result of such substitution if, as a result of such reduction, such reduced amount would not be sufficient, together with other financial resources available to Abbott, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Financing Cooperation

In the merger agreement, St. Jude Medical has agreed to, to cause its subsidiaries to, and to use reasonable best efforts to cause its and their representatives to provide all cooperation that is necessary, customary or advisable and reasonably requested by Abbott to assist Abbott in arranging, obtaining and syndicating any debt or equity financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. See the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Financing of the Mergers."

Access to Information

Subject to certain limitations, prior to the first effective time and upon reasonable notice, St. Jude Medical and its subsidiaries will afford Abbott and its representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to all of St. Jude Medical's and its subsidiaries' properties, books, contracts, commitments, records, officers and employees (other than to the extent related to the negotiation and execution of the merger agreement or, without limiting the no-solicitation covenant, to any company acquisition proposal or any other transactions or related proposals potentially competing with or alternative to the mergers).

Expenses

Except as otherwise provided in the merger agreement, whether or not the mergers are consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement will be paid by the party incurring such costs or expenses. Except as otherwise provided in the merger agreement, all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added or other taxes and fees payable by St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the mergers will be paid by the surviving company (or the applicable subsidiary of the surviving company).

Employee Matters

Subject to the requirements of applicable law and the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, Abbott will, until the later of December 31, 2017 and the first anniversary of the first effective time, provide each employee who continues to be employed by Abbott or its subsidiaries immediately following the first effective time, who we refer to as continuing employees, (i) a base salary or wages and, subject to the terms of the merger agreement, annual cash incentive compensation opportunity, in each case no less favorable than what was available to such continuing employee immediately prior to the first effective time, (ii) severance benefits that are no less favorable than what would have been provided to such continuing employee under the St. Jude Medical plans that provide

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severance benefits in effect on the date of the merger agreement, and (iii) employee health, welfare and retirement benefits that are no less favorable in the aggregate than those provided to such continuing employee by St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the first effective time.

Additionally, subject to St. Jude Medical not having provided a long-term incentive award to a continuing employee, Abbott will provide a long-term incentive award in 2017 to each continuing employee that is employed at the time such awards are granted on a basis consistent with Abbott's practices (including with respect to eligibility) for awarding long-term incentive awards to similarly situated employees of Abbott or its subsidiaries generally.

Further, Abbott has agreed from and after the first effective time to honor all St. Jude Medical plans in effect at the first effective time in accordance with their terms. However, this undertaking by Abbott does not limit its right to amend or terminate any such St. Jude Medical plan in accordance with the plan's terms. Abbott also acknowledged and agreed that the consummation of the first merger will be considered a "change in control" for all purposes under all St. Jude Medical plans and related award agreements (except for those that are or were sponsored or maintained by Thoratec Corporation or its subsidiaries) that contain a definition of "change in control" or a similar term in respect of St. Jude Medical.

To the extent continuing employees become eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan maintained by Abbott or its subsidiaries following the first effective time, the continuing employees' service with St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries prior to the first effective time will be treated as service with Abbott or its subsidiaries for purposes of eligibility to participate, vesting, level of benefits and benefit accrual to the extent recognized by St. Jude Medical prior to the effective time, provided that St. Jude Medical service will not be recognized if it would result in duplication of benefits, and further provided that it will not be credited for any purpose under any cash or equity incentive compensation plan, defined benefit pension plan, post-retirement welfare plan or any plan under which similarly situated employees of Abbott do not receive credit or that is "grandfathered" or frozen.

Further, Abbott will waive (or cause its subsidiaries to waive) all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements under any Abbott welfare benefit plan in which the continuing employees may be eligible to participate after the first effective time and use commercially reasonable efforts to provide each continuing employee with credit for any copayments and deductibles paid during the plan year in which the first effective time occurs (or, if later, the year in which the applicable continuing employee is first eligible to participate in the applicable Abbott plan) in satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any applicable Abbott welfare benefit plan, in each case, to the extent such expenses would have been credited under the St. Jude Medical plan in which such continuing employee participated immediately prior to the first effective time.

Indemnification and Insurance

After the first effective time, Abbott agreed to, and to cause the first surviving corporation and the surviving company to, indemnify and hold harmless, and advance expenses to, each indemnitee (as defined below) against certain claims and for certain losses in connection with such indemnitee's service as a director or officer of St. Jude Medical or any of its subsidiaries at or prior to the first effective time. In addition, Abbott agreed to, and to cause the first surviving corporation and the surviving company to, assume certain indemnification obligations of St. Jude Medical and its subsidiaries to any indemnitee (i) as provided in the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other governing organizational documents of St. Jude Medical and its subsidiaries in effect on the date of the merger agreement, as applicable to a particular indemnitee or (ii) pursuant to any agreement in existence on the date of the merger agreement.

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Abbott also agreed to assure that the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the first surviving corporation and the surviving company will contain provisions no less favorable to the indemnitees (with respect to limitations on liability and indemnification) than those which were included in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of St. Jude Medical on the date of the merger agreement.

Further, Abbott is not permitted to settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any threatened or actual claim for which an indemnitee has sought indemnification, unless (i) such settlement, compromise or consent includes a complete release of such indemnitee for all liability arising out of such claim or (ii) such indemnitee otherwise consents in writing.

We collectively refer to any individual who at the first effective time is or at any time prior to the first effective time was (i) a director or officer of St. Jude Medical or (ii) a director or officer of a subsidiary of St. Jude Medical as an indemnitee.

The merger agreement requires Abbott to cause the surviving company to maintain for a period of six years after the first effective time, St. Jude Medical's existing directors' and officers' liability insurance policy, or comparable insurance provided by a reputable insurer containing terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the indemnitees. However, the surviving company is not required to make annual premium payments for such insurance in excess of 250% of the amount of St. Jude Medical paid in its last fiscal year for such insurance. In lieu of the foregoing, St. Jude Medical, at its option (in consultation with Abbott), may obtain prior to the first effective time a prepaid "tail" policy for a period of no more than six years that provides coverage for the indemnitees that is substantially equivalent to St. Jude Medical's existing coverage for an aggregate price not to exceed a specified amount.

Certain Additional Covenants

The merger agreement also contains additional covenants, including, among others, covenants relating to the filing of this proxy statement/prospectus, regulatory filings and approvals (which are described in the section entitled "Proposal 1: The Mergers—Regulatory Approvals"), the delisting of St. Jude Medical shares from the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to as the NYSE, and deregistration of St. Jude Medical under the Exchange Act, reporting requirements under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, notification of certain events and regulatory matters, coordination with respect to litigation relating to the mergers and public announcements with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Conditions to Completion of the Mergers

The respective obligations of each of St. Jude Medical, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC to complete the mergers are subject to the fulfillment or waiver (to the extent permitted under applicable law), at or prior to the closing of the mergers, of the following conditions:

•: the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval must have been obtained;
•: Abbott shares that will be issued in connection with the mergers must have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
•: no law order, writ, injunction, decree, consent decree, judgment, award, injunction, or settlement may have been promulgated, entered, enforced, enacted or issued, as applicable, by any governmental authority that prohibits, enjoins or makes illegal the consummation of either of the mergers or issuance of Abbott shares as merger consideration;
•: the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part must have been declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act and no stop order

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suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 is in effect and no proceedings for that purpose are pending; and

•: the waiting period (or extensions thereof) applicable to the mergers under the HSR Act has expired or been terminated and all applicable filings, registrations, waiting periods (or extensions thereof) and approvals under each applicable competition law of the European Union, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Israel, Japan, South Africa, South Korea or Turkey relating to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement must have been made, expired, terminated or obtained, as the case may be.

The obligations of Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC to complete the mergers are also subject to the fulfillment, or waiver by Abbott, at or prior to the first effective time of the following additional conditions:

•: St. Jude Medical must have performed in all material respects all covenants and obligations required by the merger agreement to be performed by it prior to the first effective time;
•: subject to certain exceptions and materiality standards provided in the merger agreement, the representations and warranties of St. Jude Medical must be true and correct at and as of the date of the merger agreement and at and as of the closing date as though made at and as of the closing date;
•: the absence of any effect, change, condition, occurrence or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect with respect to St. Jude Medical since the date of the merger agreement;
•: St. Jude Medical must have delivered to Abbott a certificate, dated as of the closing date and signed by an executive officer of St. Jude Medical, certifying to the effect that the preceding three conditions have been met; and
•: Abbott must have received the opinion of nationally recognized outside counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Abbott, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

The obligations of St. Jude Medical to complete the mergers also are subject to the fulfillment, or waiver by St. Jude Medical, at or prior to the first effective time of certain conditions, including the following:

•: Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC must have performed in all material respects all covenants and obligations required by the merger agreement to be performed by them prior to closing;
•: subject to certain exceptions and materiality standards provided in the merger agreement, the representations and warranties of Abbott must be true and correct at and as of the date of the merger agreement and at and as of the closing date as though made at and as of the closing date;
•: the absence of any effect, change, condition, occurrence or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect with respect to Abbott since the date of the merger agreement;
•: Abbott must have delivered to St. Jude Medical a certificate, dated as of the closing date and signed by an executive officer, certifying to the effect that the preceding three conditions have been met; and

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•: St. Jude Medical must have received the opinion of nationally recognized outside counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to St. Jude Medical, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the mergers, taken together, will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

Regulatory Approvals

Under the merger agreement, St. Jude Medical and Abbott agreed to cooperate with each other and to use their respective reasonable best efforts in order to obtain the required regulatory approvals. For purpose of obtaining required regulatory approvals, St. Jude Medical and Abbott generally agreed that "reasonable best efforts" will not require Abbott to (i) divest, (ii) terminate any contracts related to or (iii) accept any conditions that would apply to, in each case, any businesses, assets, equity interests, product lines, properties or contracts of Abbott or St. Jude Medical. However, Abbott is required to take any of the actions described in the previous sentence if (i) such action does not relate to a development program or a development-stage product and (ii) would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a one-year loss of revenues in excess of $325 million (measured by reference to fiscal year 2015 revenue) of either Abbott and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or St. Jude Medical and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Additionally, for purpose of obtaining such approvals, St. Jude Medical and Abbott agreed that "reasonable best efforts" will not require Abbott or St. Jude Medical to (i) agree to any material modification of the merger agreement or to waive the terms and conditions of the merger agreement or (ii) litigate (or participate in the litigation of) any judicial or administrative proceeding involving the FTC, the DOJ or other similar governmental authority in connection with the mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated in the merger agreement.

To the extent permitted by law, Abbott will have control over and lead all communications and strategy relating to obtaining all approvals, consents, waivers, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations from any governmental authority or other third party necessary or advisable to consummate the mergers (including with regards to any litigation arising therefrom). However, Abbott is required (i) to consult with St. Jude Medical in advance and, in good faith, take St. Jude Medical's views into account regarding the overall strategic direction of any such approval process and (ii) to consult with St. Jude Medical prior to (a) taking any material substantive positions, (b) making any dispositive motions or material substantive filings or submissions or (c) entering into any negotiations concerning such approvals.

Termination of the Merger Agreement

Termination

The merger agreement may be terminated and the mergers abandoned at any time prior to the first effective time, whether before or after any approval of the first merger and merger agreement by the holders of St. Jude Medical shares:

•: by mutual written consent of St. Jude Medical and Abbott;
•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott if the first merger has not been consummated on or prior to April 27, 2017, which we refer to as the end date. If, however, all of the conditions to closing, other than certain conditions relating to competition laws, have been satisfied or are capable of being satisfied at such time, the end date may be extended by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott to July 27, 2017. The right to terminate the merger agreement according to this provision is not available to a party if the failure of the closing to have occurred by the end date was due to the failure of such party to perform any of its obligations under the merger agreement or due to the

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breach by such party of its representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement. We refer to this termination right as the end date termination right;

•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott, if an order by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction has been issued permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the mergers or the issuance of Abbott shares as merger consideration and such order has become final and nonappealable. However, the right to terminate the merger agreement according to this specific provision is not available to a party if such order was due to the failure of such party to perform any of its obligations under the merger agreement or due to the breach by such party of its representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement;
•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott, if the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval has not been obtained after a vote on approval of the merger agreement has been taken at the company shareholders' meeting (including any postponement or adjournment thereof) duly convened therefor;
•: by either St. Jude Medical or Abbott, if the other party has materially breached or failed to perform any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement and such breach or failure (i) would result in the failure of specified conditions to closing and (ii) is not curable by the end date, or if capable of being cured by the end date, such party has not commenced good-faith efforts to cure the breach or failure within thirty calendar days following (or the breach or failure is not cured within sixty calendar days following) receipt by the party of written notice from the other party of such breach or failure. However, the terminating party may not exercise this termination right if it is then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in the merger agreement, which breach would give rise to the failure of any of the conditions set forth in this subparagraph of the other party to effect the merger;
•: by Abbott if a company adverse recommendation change occurs; or
•: by St. Jude Medical prior to receipt of the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval, if the St. Jude Medical board of directors authorizes St. Jude Medical to enter into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal in accordance with the covenants regarding no solicitation, no change of recommendation and entry into an alternative acquisition agreement, and substantially concurrently with termination, St. Jude Medical enters into an alternative acquisition agreement providing for such superior proposal and prior to or concurrently with such termination, St. Jude Medical pays to Abbott in immediately available funds the $685 million termination fee.

Termination Fee

St. Jude Medical must pay Abbott a termination fee of $685 million, which we refer to as the termination fee, if the merger agreement is terminated (or, in the case of the second bullet below, at the time of termination, could have been terminated) in the following circumstances:

•: in the event the merger agreement is terminated by St. Jude Medical in accordance with the provisions regarding its fiduciary termination right in connection with a superior proposal; or
•: in the event the merger agreement is terminated by Abbott, due to occurrence of a company adverse recommendation change.

Additionally, if St. Jude Medical enters into a definitive agreement with respect to any company acquisition proposal or any company acquisition proposal is consummated (in each case with references to 15% in the definition of company acquisition proposal being replaced by 50% for this purpose)

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within twelve months after a valid termination of the merger agreement in any of the following circumstances, St. Jude Medical must also pay Abbott the termination fee:

•: Termination by St. Jude Medical or Abbott pursuant to the end date termination right. The merger agreement is terminated pursuant to the end date termination right and at any time after the date of the merger agreement but prior to the termination, either (i) a company acquisition proposal was made or communicated to the St. Jude Medical board of directors and not withdrawn without qualification prior to such termination or (ii) a company acquisition proposal was publicly announced or publicly made known and not publicly withdrawn without qualification prior to the termination;
•: Termination by St. Jude Medical or Abbott because St. Jude Medical shareholder approval is not obtained. The merger agreement is terminated because St. Jude Medical shareholder approval is not obtained and at any time after the date of the merger agreement but prior to completion of the St. Jude Medical shareholder meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) a company acquisition proposal was publicly announced or publicly made known and not publicly withdrawn without qualification prior to the company shareholder meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof); or
•: Termination by Abbott because of St. Jude Medical's breach or failure to perform of covenants or agreements. The merger agreement is terminated due to St. Jude Medical's breach or failure to perform covenants or agreements in the merger agreement and at any time after the date of the merger agreement but prior to the termination, either (i) a company acquisition proposal was made or communicated to the St. Jude Medical Board and not withdrawn without qualification prior to such breach or failure or (ii) a company acquisition proposal was publicly announced or publicly made known and not publicly withdrawn without qualification prior to such breach or failure.

In no event will the termination fee be payable more than once.

Post-Termination Liability

Generally, if the merger agreement is terminated, it immediately becomes void and of no further effect without any liability or obligation on the part of any party except for (i) the requirement of St. Jude Medical to pay Abbott the termination fee of $685 million in the circumstances described above and (ii) any liability of either party for any fraud or knowing, material and intentional breach of the merger agreement.

Other than with respect to claims for, or arising out of or in connection with fraud or knowing, intentional and material breach of any covenant in the merger agreement, payment of the termination fee constitutes the sole and exclusive remedy (whether at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise) of Abbott, its shareholders and their respective representatives against St. Jude Medical. Any termination fee paid by St. Jude Medical pursuant to the merger agreement will be offset against any award for damages awarded to Abbott pursuant to any claim based on fraud or knowing, intentional and material breach of the merger agreement.

Amendment and Assignment

Any provision of the merger agreement may be amended, supplemented or waived only if such amendment, supplement or waiver is in writing and signed by St. Jude Medical, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC. However, after the receipt of the St. Jude Medical shareholder approval, if any such amendment or waiver will require further approval of the holders of St. Jude Medical shares, the effectiveness of such amendment or waiver will be subject to obtainment of such

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further approval. Certain amendments or waivers will require obtaining the prior written consent of third party financiers of the mergers.

The merger agreement cannot be assigned without the prior written consent of the nonassigning parties to the merger agreement, provided that, with the prior written consent of St. Jude Medical, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, Abbott may designate, prior to the first effective time, another wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott to be a party to the mergers instead of Vault Merger Sub, Inc. or Vault Merger Sub, LLC, provided that such assignment will not relieve Abbott of its obligations under the merger agreement, or otherwise enlarge, alter or change any obligation of any party to the merger agreement.

Jurisdiction; Specific Enforcement

Each of St. Jude Medical, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC agreed that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of the merger agreement are not performed or are breached, and that money damages would not be an adequate remedy in such a situation. Accordingly, and in addition to any other remedy that each may be entitled to at law or in equity, each of St. Jude Medical, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC agreed that, each will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of the merger agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of the merger agreement without proof of actual damages or otherwise. Each of St. Jude Medical, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC also irrevocably waived any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such injunctions.

Further, with respect to disputes arising under the merger agreement, each of St. Jude Medical, Abbott, Vault Merger Sub, Inc. and Vault Merger Sub, LLC (i) consented to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or to the extent the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines jurisdiction, any federal court located in the State of Delaware), (ii) agreed not to assert as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, any claim that such party (or its property, if applicable) is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts and (iii) agreed that it would not bring any action or claim related to the merger agreement in any court other than those courts mentioned above.

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INTERESTS OF ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN THE MERGERS

In considering the recommendation of the St. Jude Medical board of directors that you vote to adopt the merger agreement, you should be aware that St. Jude Medical's executive officers and non-employee directors have economic interests in the mergers that are different from, or in addition to, those of St. Jude Medical's shareholders generally. The St. Jude Medical board of directors was aware of and considered those interests, among other matters, in reaching its decisions to (i) approve the mergers and the other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) adopt, approve and declare advisable the merger agreement, and (iii) resolve to recommend the approval of the merger agreement to St. Jude Medical shareholders. The transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be a "change in control" for purposes of the St. Jude Medical executive compensation and benefit plans described below.

Certain Assumptions

Except as otherwise specifically noted, for purposes of quantifying the potential payments and benefits described in this section, the following assumptions were used:

•: The value of the per share merger consideration is $75.84 for each St. Jude Medical share based on the average closing price per St. Jude Medical share over the five business days following the first public announcement of the transaction on April 28, 2016;
•: The effective time is September 7, 2016, which is the assumed date of the closing of the mergers solely for purposes of the disclosure in this section; and
•: Each executive officer of St. Jude Medical was terminated by St. Jude Medical without "cause" or resigned for "good reason" (as such terms are defined in the relevant plans and agreements), in either case immediately following the assumed effective time of September 7, 2016.

Change in Control Severance Agreements

Payments and Benefits. St. Jude Medical has entered into change in control severance agreements, which are referred to as the CIC severance agreements, with each of its executive officers. The CIC severance agreements provide for certain payments and other benefits if, within three years (or two years in the case of certain executive officers who are not named executive officers) following a change in control, St. Jude Medical terminates the executive officer's employment without "cause" or the executive officer terminates his or her employment for "good reason." Such payments and benefits include: (1) severance pay equal to 2.9 times the sum of the executive officer's annual salary and target bonus and (except in the case of certain executive officers who are not named executive officers) certain other compensation received by the executive officer during the 12 months before termination; (2) up to three years of health, life, accident and disability insurance substantially similar to that in effect at the time of termination; (3) gross-up payments described below; and (4) the payment of legal fees and expenses relating to the termination. The occurrence of the mergers will constitute a "change in control" for purposes of the CIC severance agreements. In addition, pursuant to the merger agreement, if the employment of a participant in the St. Jude Medical Management Incentive Compensation Plan is terminated without cause prior to the payment of an annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the mergers occur, the participant will receive an annual bonus for such year equal to his or her target bonus opportunity and assuming the achievement of target performance, pro-rated for the portion of such year elapsed through the date of termination.

For the estimated amounts that each of St. Jude Medical's named executive officers would receive under the CIC severance agreements upon a qualifying termination of employment and in satisfaction of the pro-rata target bonus award upon a termination without cause, see the section entitled

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"Quantification of Potential Payments and Benefits to St. Jude Medical's Named Executive Officers in Connection with the Mergers." Based on the assumptions described above under "—Certain Assumptions" and the additional assumptions used for purposes of estimating amounts for named executive officers, the estimated aggregate amount of the payments and benefits to be provided to St. Jude Medical's executive officers who are not named executive officers under the CIC severance agreements upon a qualifying termination of employment and in satisfaction of the pro-rata target bonus award upon a termination without cause is $28,239,094 excluding the gross-up payments described below.

Gross-Ups

The CIC severance agreements provide that each executive officer is entitled to a tax gross-up payment, which are referred to as the Gross-Up Payment, in the event that any payments or distributions made to such officers in connection with the first merger, which are referred to as the Total Payments, become subject to an excise tax pursuant to Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code or any successor provision thereto, or any interest, penalties or additions to tax with respect to such excise tax, which is referred to as the Excise Tax; provided, however, that no such officer will be entitled to any Gross-Up Payment in the event such officer has voluntarily resigned or been terminated for cause prior to the closing of the first merger. While the actual amounts to be paid to the executive officers by St. Jude Medical will not be determinable until after the effective time of the mergers, for the estimated value of the potential payments that could be made to each of the St. Jude Medical named executive officers in respect of the Gross-Up Payments, see the section entitled "Quantification of Potential Payments and Benefits to St. Jude Medical's Named Executive Officers in Connection with the Mergers." The estimated aggregate Gross-Up Payments that could become payable to St. Jude Medical's executive officers who are not named executive officers is $7,598,071. If any payments and benefits under a retention agreement (see the section entitled "Abbott Retention Agreements") between an executive officer and Abbott, are determined to be parachute payments for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, the amount of the Gross-Up Payment under such officer's St. Jude Medical CIC severance agreement will increase.

Equity Compensation

Treatment of Stock Options. As described below, certain St. Jude Medical options will be deemed exercised upon the occurrence of the mergers and others will be assumed by Abbott and converted into similar Abbott options. Additionally, Abbott may elect to treat some or all St. Jude Medical options which otherwise would be assumed as surrendered St. Jude Medical options, as defined below, and deem them exercised upon the occurrence of the mergers.

(i) Surrendered Stock Options. Each St. Jude Medical option that is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time, and is either vested as of immediately prior to the first effective time or that becomes vested by its terms as a result of the occurrence of the first effective time (excluding any option granted under certain employee stock purchase plans), which we refer to as a surrendered St. Jude Medical option, shall be deemed exercised pursuant to a cashless exercise and settled by issuance of a number of St. Jude Medical shares equal to the difference (rounded down to the nearest whole share, but with any partial shares otherwise issuable settled in cash) of (i) the number of St. Jude Medical Shares subject to such surrendered St. Jude Medical option as of immediately prior to the first effective time minus (ii) the number of whole and partial (computed to the nearest four decimal places) St. Jude Medical Shares that, when multiplied by the "Fair Market Value" (as defined in the applicable plan providing for such award), is equal to the aggregate exercise price of such surrendered St. Jude Medical option. Such St. Jude Medical shares will then be canceled and converted into the right to receive the merger consideration with

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respect to each St. Jude Medical share issued in respect of the stock option, less any applicable withholding taxes.

(ii) Assumed Stock Options. Additionally, each option to purchase St. Jude Medical shares granted under a St. Jude Medical share plan and any other compensatory option to purchase St. Jude Medical shares (excluding any option granted under certain employee stock purchase plans) that is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time and not a surrendered St. Jude Medical option will be assumed by Abbott and converted into an option to acquire, on substantially the same terms and conditions, a number of Abbott shares equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole share) of (i) the number of St. Jude Medical shares subject to such option multiplied by (ii) the stock award exchange ratio, at an exercise price per Abbott share equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of (a) the per share exercise price for the St. Jude Medical shares subject to such assumed option as of immediately prior to the first effective time divided by (b) the stock award exchange ratio. Further, the vesting of each such St. Jude Medical option, to the extent then unvested, will immediately accelerate in full upon the second anniversary of the first effective time if the holder of such award remains employed with Abbott or any of its subsidiaries through such date.

Treatment of Restricted Share Awards. Each St. Jude Medical restricted share award that was outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement will vest immediately prior to the first effective time and will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the merger consideration with respect to each St. Jude Medical share subject to such restricted share award, less any applicable withholding taxes.

Treatment of Restricted Stock Units. As described below, certain restricted stock unit awards, or RSU awards, with respect to St. Jude Medical shares will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the merger consideration and others will be assumed by Abbott and converted into similar Abbott RSU awards. Additionally, Abbott may elect to treat some or all St. Jude Medical RSU awards which otherwise would be assumed as surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards, as defined below, cancel such surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU awards and convert them into the merger consideration.

(i) Surrendered RSU Awards. At the first effective time, each RSU award with respect to St. Jude Medical shares that (i) is outstanding as of immediately prior to the first effective time, (ii) is vested as of immediately prior to the first effective time or will become vested by its terms as a result of the occurrence of the first effective time, and (iii) by its terms is to be settled in connection with the occurrence of vesting or the first effective time, as of the first effective time (which we refer to as a surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU award), will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the merger consideration (or, with respect to such RSU award that is settled in cash under its existing terms, the cash equivalent thereof) with respect to each St. Jude Medical share subject to such RSU award, less any applicable withholding taxes.

(ii) Assumed RSU Awards. Additionally, at the first effective time, each RSU award with respect to St. Jude Medical shares that (i) is outstanding as of immediately prior to the first effective time and (ii) is not a surrendered St. Jude Medical RSU award will be assumed by Abbott and converted into an RSU award, with substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such St. Jude Medical RSU award, for a number of Abbott shares equal to the product (rounded to the nearest whole share) of (i) the number of St. Jude Medical shares subject to such RSU award multiplied by (ii) the stock award exchange ratio. Further, the vesting of each such RSU award, to the extent then unvested, will immediately accelerate in full upon the second

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anniversary of the first effective time if the holder of such award remains employed with Abbott or any of its subsidiaries through such date. Upon vesting, settlement will occur at such time as is permitted by applicable law and will be subject to applicable withholding taxes.

Treatment of Assumed Equity Awards upon Termination of Employment Following the Mergers. At the effective time, the outstanding St. Jude Medical options and restricted stock units held by St. Jude Medical's executive officers that convert into equity awards with respect to Abbott shares in the manner described above will remain subject to the same service-based vesting conditions; provided, however, that as described above, the vesting of such awards will immediately accelerate in full upon the second anniversary of the first effective time subject to continued employment through such date. Further, pursuant to the original terms of these awards, if an executive officer's employment is terminated by St. Jude Medical without "cause" or by the executive officer under circumstances which would constitute "good reason" within two years following the first effective time, the assumed outstanding equity awards will fully vest upon such termination and each outstanding assumed option would remain outstanding and exercisable until the earlier of (a) a period of one year following such termination of employment and (b) the expiration of its term.

For an estimate of the amounts that would become payable to each of St. Jude Medical's named executive officers in respect of their unvested equity awards, see the section entitled "Quantification of Potential Payments and Benefits to St. Jude Medical's Named Executive Officers in Connection with the Mergers." Based on the assumptions described above under "—Certain Assumptions" and the additional assumptions used for purposes of estimating amounts for named executive officers, (i) the estimated aggregate amounts that would become payable to St. Jude Medical's executive officers who are not named executive officers in respect of their unvested equity awards is as follows: unvested St. Jude Medical options—$13,890,399; unvested St. Jude Medical restricted shares—$0; and unvested St. Jude Medical restricted stock units—$7,882,506; and (ii) the estimated aggregate amount that would become payable to St. Jude Medical's non-employee directors in respect of their unvested St. Jude Medical restricted shares is $2,231,516. For more information on equity holdings of St. Jude Medical's non-employee directors and executive officers, see the table entitled "Certain Beneficial Owners of St. Jude Medical Shares."

Abbott Retention Agreements

On July 22, 2016, Mr. Rousseau entered into a retention agreement with Abbott that will become effective contingent upon the closing of the mergers and continue for a retention period unless terminated by either Abbott or Mr. Rousseau or extended b