Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion and analysis of the financial condition of AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie or the company). This commentary should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes appearing in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." This section of Form 10-K generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Company Overview
AbbVie is a global, diversified research-based biopharmaceutical company positioned for success with a comprehensive product portfolio that has leadership positions across immunology, oncology, aesthetics, neuroscience and eye care. AbbVie uses its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases.
On August 1, 2024, AbbVie completed the acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Cerevel Therapeutics). The acquisition complements AbbVie’s neuroscience portfolio, adding a wide range of potentially best-in-class assets that may transform standards of care across psychiatric and neurological disorders where significant unmet needs remain for patients. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition date, AbbVie's consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows of Cerevel Therapeutics.
On July 1, 2024, Robert A. Michael, AbbVie's then President and Chief Operating Officer, succeeded Richard A. Gonzalez as the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Gonzalez, who has served as CEO since the company's formation in 2013, retired from the role of CEO and became Executive Chairman of the board of directors, effective July 1, 2024. Additionally, the board has appointed Mr. Michael as a member of the board of directors effective July 1, 2024. On February 13, 2025, the board of directors of AbbVie unanimously elected Mr. Michael to succeed Mr. Gonzalez as Chairman of the board of directors, effective July 1, 2025, at which time Mr. Gonzalez will retire from the board.
On February 12, 2024, AbbVie completed the acquisition of ImmunoGen, Inc. (ImmunoGen). The acquisition of ImmunoGen further builds on AbbVie's existing solid tumor pipeline of novel targeted therapies and next-generation immuno-oncology assets, which have the potential to create new treatment possibilities across multiple solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. AbbVie and ImmunoGen's combined capabilities represent an opportunity to deliver potentially transformative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapies to patients. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition date, AbbVie's consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows of ImmunoGen.
AbbVie's products are generally sold worldwide directly to wholesalers, distributors, government agencies, health care facilities, specialty pharmacies and independent retailers from AbbVie-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Certain products (including aesthetic products and devices) are also sold directly to physicians and other licensed healthcare providers. In the United States, AbbVie distributes pharmaceutical products principally through independent wholesale distributors, with some sales directly to retailers, pharmacies, patients or other customers. Outside the United States, AbbVie sells products primarily to wholesalers or through distributors, and depending on the market works through largely centralized national payers systems to agree on reimbursement terms. Certain products are co-marketed or co-promoted with other companies. AbbVie operates as a single global business segment and has approximately 55,000 employees.
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| 2024 Form 10-K
2025 Strategic Objectives
AbbVie's mission is to discover and develop innovative medicines and products that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow while achieving top-tier financial performance through outstanding execution. AbbVie intends to execute its strategy and advance its mission in a number of ways, including: (i) maximizing the benefits of a diversified revenue base with multiple long-term growth drivers; (ii) leveraging AbbVie's commercial strength and international infrastructure across therapeutic areas and ensuring strong commercial execution of new product launches; (iii) continuing to invest in and expand its pipeline in support of opportunities in immunology, oncology, aesthetics, neuroscience and eye care as well as continued investment in key on-market products; (iv) generating substantial operating cash flows to support investment in innovative research and development, and return cash to shareholders via a strong and growing dividend while also continuing to repay debt. In addition, AbbVie anticipates several regulatory submissions and data readouts from key clinical trials in the next 12 months.
AbbVie expects to achieve its strategic objectives through:
• Maximizing revenue growth of our key on-market products, including Skyrizi, Rinvoq, Venclexta, Elahere, Vraylar, Ubrelvy, Qulipta, Vyalev/Produodopa, Botox and Juvederm Collection.
• Advancing our research and development pipeline by delivering late-stage pipeline milestones, achieving key proof-of-concept objectives across therapeutic areas and continuing to invest in key on-market product indication expansion.
• Maximizing the value of key acquisitions as well as continuing to invest in external innovation.
• Continuing to effectively manage the impact of Humira biosimilar erosion.
• The favorable impact of pipeline products and indications recently approved or currently under regulatory review where approval is expected in 2025. These products are described in greater detail in the section labeled "Research and Development" included as part of this Item 7.
2024 Financial Results
AbbVie's strategy has focused on delivering strong financial results, maximizing the benefits of a diversified revenue base, advancing and investing in its pipeline and returning value to shareholders while ensuring a strong, sustainable growth business over the long term. The company's financial performance in 2024 included delivering worldwide net revenues of $56.3 billion, operating earnings of $9.1 billion, diluted earnings per share of $2.39 and cash flows from operations of $18.8 billion. Worldwide net revenues increased by 4% on a reported and 5% on a constant currency basis.
Diluted earnings per share in 2024 was $2.39 and included the following after-tax costs: (i) $6.5 billion related to the amortization of intangible assets; (ii) $3.7 billion for the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities; (iii) $3.5 billion related to intangible asset impairment; (iv) $978 million of acquisition and integration expenses; and (v) $721 million for charges related to litigation matters. These costs were partially offset by an income tax benefit of $1.8 billion primarily related to the settlement of income tax examinations. Additionally, financial results reflected continued funding to support all stages of AbbVie’s pipeline assets and continued investment in AbbVie’s on-market brands.
Regulation
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has and will continue to have a significant impact on how drugs are covered and paid for under the Medicare program, including through the creation of financial penalties for drugs whose price increases outpace inflation, the redesign of Medicare Part D benefits to shift a greater portion of the costs to manufacturers, and through government price-setting for certain Medicare Part B and Part D drugs. In 2023, Imbruvica was selected as one of the first 10 medicines subject to government-set prices beginning in 2026. In 2024, the CMS published Medicare Part D prices that will be applicable to the 10 selected drugs, including Imbruvica, beginning in 2026. In January 2025, HHS, through the CMS, selected Vraylar and Linzess as two of the 15 medicines subject to government-set prices beginning in 2027. It is possible that more of our products, including products that generate substantial revenues, could be selected in future years, which could, among other things, accelerate revenue erosion prior to expiration of intellectual property protections. The effect of reducing prices and reimbursement for certain of our products would significantly impact our results of operations. See Part I, Item 1 “Business – Regulation – Commercialization, Distribution and Manufacturing,” Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
2024 Form 10-K |
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Research and Development
Research and innovation are the cornerstones of AbbVie's business as a global biopharmaceutical company. AbbVie's long-term success depends to a great extent on its ability to continue to discover and develop innovative products and acquire or collaborate on compounds currently in development by other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.
AbbVie's pipeline currently includes approximately 90 compounds, devices or indications in development individually or under collaboration or license agreements and is focused on important specialties including immunology, oncology, aesthetics, neuroscience and eye care. Of these programs, approximately 50 are in mid- and late-stage development.
The following sections summarize transitions of significant programs from mid-stage development to late-stage development as well as developments in significant late-stage and registrational programs. AbbVie expects multiple mid-stage programs to transition into late-stage programs in the next 12 months.
Significant Programs and Developments
Immunology
Rinvoq
• In January 2024, AbbVie initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate Rinvoq in adults and adolescents with non-segmental vitiligo who are eligible for systemic therapy.
• In April 2024, AbbVie announced positive top-line results from its Phase 3 SELECT-GCA trial for Rinvoq in combination with a 26-week steroid taper regimen in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) achieved its primary endpoint.
• In April 2024, AbbVie announced positive top-line results from the head-to-head Phase 3b/4 Level-Up trial evaluating Rinvoq compared to dupilumab in adolescent and adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. In the study, Rinvoq demonstrated superiority to dupilumab on the primary endpoint and all ranked secondary endpoints.
• In June 2024, AbbVie announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rinvoq for the treatment of pediatric patients two years of age and older with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) as well as psoriatic arthritis (PsA), provided they have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers.
• In July 2024, AbbVie announced that it submitted applications for a new indication to the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Rinvoq for the treatment of adult patients with GCA.
Skyrizi
• In June 2024, AbbVie announced that the FDA approved Skyrizi for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).
• In July 2024, AbbVie announced that the European Commission (EC) approved Skyrizi for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC who have had an inadequate response to, lost response to, or were intolerant to conventional therapy or a biologic therapy.
Lutikizumab
• In January 2024, AbbVie announced Phase 2 results showing adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) who had previously failed anti-TNF therapy who received lutikizumab achieved higher response rates than placebo in the primary endpoint of achieving HS Clinical Response at week 16.
• In July 2024, AbbVie initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate lutikizumab in adult and adolescent patients with moderate to severe HS.
Oncology
Epkinly
• In March 2024, AbbVie initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate Epkinly in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide in patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma (FL).
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| 2024 Form 10-K
• In June 2024, AbbVie announced that the FDA approved Epkinly for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) FL after two or more lines of prior therapy. This indication is approved under the FDA's Accelerated Approval program based on overall response rate (ORR) and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
• In August 2024, AbbVie announced that the EC granted conditional marketing authorization for Tepkinly as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with R/R FL after two or more lines of prior therapy.
Elahere
• In March 2024, AbbVie announced that the FDA granted full approval for Elahere for the treatment of adult patients with folate receptor alpha (FRα)-positive, platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, who have received one to three prior systemic treatment regimens.
• In June 2024, AbbVie announced positive topline results from the Phase 2 PICCOLO trial evaluating Elahere monotherapy in heavily pre-treated patients with FRα-positive, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. The study met its primary endpoint and no new safety concerns were identified.
• In November 2024, AbbVie announced the EC granted marketing authorization for Elahere for the treatment of adult patients with FRα-positive, platinum-resistant high grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three prior systemic treatment regimens.
Navitoclax
• In April 2024, AbbVie announced its decision to discontinue the Phase 3 TRANSFORM-2 study evaluating navitoclax, a BCL-XL/BCL-2 inhibitor, plus ruxolitinib in patients with R/R myelofibrosis following evaluation of the totality of data from the Phase 3 TRANSFORM-1 trial and feedback from regulators.
ABBV-383
• In June 2024, AbbVie initiated the Phase 3 CERVINO clinical trial to evaluate ABBV-383 monotherapy compared with standard available therapies in adult patients with R/R multiple myeloma who have received at least two lines of prior therapy.
Teliso-V
• In September 2024, AbbVie announced submission of a Biologics License Application to the FDA for accelerated approval of Teliso-V in adult patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild type, nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with c-Met protein overexpression.
ABBV-400
• In December 2024, AbbVie initiated a Phase 3 trial to evaluate ABBV-400 monotherapy compared to trifluridine, tipiracil and bevacizumab in adult participants with c-Met over-expressed refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Aesthetics
Juvederm Collection
• In March 2024, AbbVie announced the FDA approval of Juvederm Voluma XC for injection in the temple region to improve moderate to severe temple hollowing in adults over the age of 21.
2024 Form 10-K |
36
Botox Cosmetic
• In September 2024, AbbVie announced that Botox Cosmetic is now available for the treatment of masseter muscle prominence (MMP) in China.
• In October 2024, AbbVie announced that the FDA approved Botox Cosmetic for temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe vertical bands connecting the jaw and neck (platysma bands) in adults .
Neuroscience
Vyalev/Produodopa
• In January 2024, AbbVie announced the launch of Produodopa (ABBV-951) in the European Union for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease with severe motor fluctuations and hyperkinesia (excessive movement) or dyskinesia (involuntary movement), and when available combinations of Parkinson's medicinal products have not given satisfactory results.
• In June 2024, AbbVie announced it received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA for the New Drug Application (NDA) for ABBV-951 for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease. In its letter, the FDA cited observations that were identified during inspection of a third-party manufacturer listed in the NDA. The CRL did not identify any issues related to the safety, efficacy or labeling of ABBV-951, including the device, and did not request that AbbVie conduct additional efficacy or safety trials related to the drug or device-related testing.
• In October 2024, AbbVie announced that the FDA approved Vyalev (ABBV-951) as the first and only subcutaneous 24-hour infusion of levodopa-based therapy for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease.
Tavapadon
• In September 2024, AbbVie announced positive top-line results from its Phase 3 TEMPO-1 trial for tavapadon as a monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease.
• In December 2024, AbbVie announced positive top-line results from its pivotal Phase 3 TEMPO-2 trial evaluating tavapadon as a flexible-dose monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease.
Emraclidine
• In November 2024, AbbVie announced that its two Phase 2 EMPOWER trials investigating emraclidine as a once-daily, oral monotherapy treatment for adults with schizophrenia who are experiencing an acute exacerbation of psychotic symptoms, did not meet their primary endpoint of showing a statistically significant reduction (improvement) in the change from baseline in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score compared to the placebo group at week 6.
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| 2024 Form 10-K
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Revenues
The comparisons presented at constant currency rates reflect comparative local currency net revenues at the prior year's foreign exchange rates. This measure provides information on the change in net revenues assuming that foreign currency exchange rates had not changed between the prior and current periods. AbbVie believes that the non-GAAP measure of change in net revenues at constant currency rates, when used in conjunction with the GAAP measure of change in net revenues at actual currency rates, may provide a more complete understanding of the company's operations and can facilitate analysis of the company's results of operations, particularly in evaluating performance from one period to another.
Percent change
At actual currency rates At constant currency rates
years ended (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2024 2023
United States $ 43,029 $ 41,883 $ 45,713 2.7 % (8.4) % 2.7 % (8.4) %
International 13,305 12,435 12,341 7.0 % 0.8 % 11.1 % 3.4 %
Net revenues $ 56,334 $ 54,318 $ 58,054 3.7 % (6.4) % 4.6 % (5.9) %
2024 Form 10-K |
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The following table details AbbVie's worldwide net revenues:
Percent change
At actual currency rates At constant currency rates
years ended December 31 (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2024 2023
Immunology
Humira United States $ 7,142 $ 12,160 $ 18,619 (41.3) % (34.7) % (41.3) % (34.7) %
International 1,851 2,244 2,618 (17.5) % (14.3) % (13.2) % (11.8) %
Total $ 8,993 $ 14,404 $ 21,237 (37.6) % (32.2) % (36.9) % (31.9) %
Skyrizi United States $ 10,086 $ 6,753 $ 4,484 49.3 % 50.6 % 49.3 % 50.6 %
International 1,632 1,010 681 61.6 % 48.3 % 65.4 % 50.3 %
Total $ 11,718 $ 7,763 $ 5,165 50.9 % 50.3 % 51.4 % 50.6 %
Rinvoq United States $ 4,259 $ 2,824 $ 1,794 50.8 % 57.4 % 50.8 % 57.4 %
International 1,712 1,145 728 49.6 % 57.3 % 57.0 % 60.7 %
Total $ 5,971 $ 3,969 $ 2,522 50.4 % 57.4 % 52.5 % 58.4 %
Oncology
Imbruvica United States $ 2,448 $ 2,665 $ 3,426 (8.1) % (22.2) % (8.1) % (22.2) %
Collaboration revenues 899 931 1,142 (3.5) % (18.5) % (3.5) % (18.5) %
Total $ 3,347 $ 3,596 $ 4,568 (6.9) % (21.3) % (6.9) % (21.3) %
Venclexta United States $ 1,234 $ 1,087 $ 1,009 13.5 % 7.8 % 13.5 % 7.8 %
International 1,349 1,201 1,000 12.3 % 20.1 % 18.0 % 22.3 %
Total $ 2,583 $ 2,288 $ 2,009 12.9 % 13.9 % 15.9 % 15.0 %
Elahere (a)
United States $ 477 $ — $ — n/m n/m n/m n/m
International 2 — — n/m n/m n/m n/m
Total $ 479 $ — $ — n/m n/m n/m n/m
Epkinly Collaboration revenues
$ 118 $ 28 $ — >100.0 % n/m >100.0 % n/m
International 28 3 — >100.0 % n/m >100.0 % n/m
Total $ 146 $ 31 $ — >100.0 % n/m >100.0 % n/m
Aesthetics
Botox Cosmetic
United States $ 1,682 $ 1,670 $ 1,654 0.7 % 1.0 % 0.7 % 1.0 %
International 1,038 1,012 961 2.7 % 5.3 % 6.7 % 9.7 %
Total $ 2,720 $ 2,682 $ 2,615 1.4 % 2.6 % 2.9 % 4.2 %
Juvederm Collection
United States $ 469 $ 519 $ 548 (9.6) % (5.4) % (9.6) % (5.4) %
International 708 859 880 (17.6) % (2.4) % (13.4) % 1.9 %
Total $ 1,177 $ 1,378 $ 1,428 (14.6) % (3.6) % (12.0) % (0.9) %
Other Aesthetics
United States $ 1,118 $ 1,060 $ 1,122 5.5 % (5.6) % 5.5 % (5.6) %
International 161 174 168 (7.1) % 3.3 % (1.0) % 8.1 %
Total $ 1,279 $ 1,234 $ 1,290 3.7 % (4.4) % 4.6 % (3.8) %
Neuroscience
Botox Therapeutic
United States $ 2,718 $ 2,476 $ 2,255 9.8 % 9.8 % 9.8 % 9.8 %
International 565 515 464 9.8 % 11.1 % 14.0 % 15.5 %
Total $ 3,283 $ 2,991 $ 2,719 9.8 % 10.0 % 10.5 % 10.8 %
Vraylar
United States $ 3,260 $ 2,755 $ 2,037 18.4 % 35.2 % 18.4 % 35.2 %
International 7 4 1 57.8 % >100.0 % 58.6 % >100.0 %
Total $ 3,267 $ 2,759 $ 2,038 18.4 % 35.4 % 18.4 % 35.4 %
Duodopa United States $ 96 $ 97 $ 95 (1.8) % 3.0 % (1.8) % 3.0 %
International 351 371 363 (5.3) % 2.1 % (5.4) % 1.8 %
Total $ 447 $ 468 $ 458 (4.6) % 2.3 % (4.7) % 2.1 %
Ubrelvy
United States $ 981 $ 803 $ 680 22.1 % 18.2 % 22.1 % 18.2 %
International 25 12 — >100.0 % >100.0 % >100.0 % >100.0 %
Total $ 1,006 $ 815 $ 680 23.4 % 19.9 % 23.4 % 19.9 %
Qulipta United States $ 628 $ 405 $ 158 55.3 % >100.0 % 55.3 % >100.0 %
International 30 3 — >100.0 % >100.0 % >100.0 % >100.0 %
Total $ 658 $ 408 $ 158 61.3 % >100.0 % 61.3 % >100.0 %
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| 2024 Form 10-K
Percent change
At actual currency rates At constant currency rates
years ended December 31 (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2024 2023
Other Neuroscience
United States $ 224 $ 254 $ 456 (11.6) % (44.4) % (11.6) % (44.4) %
International 114 22 19 >100.0 % 20.2 % >100.0 % 24.4 %
Total $ 338 $ 276 $ 475 22.4 % (41.9) % 22.7 % (41.7) %
Eye Care
Ozurdex United States $ 138 $ 143 $ 139 (4.1) % 2.7 % (4.1) % 2.7 %
International 356 329 289 8.3 % 14.0 % 10.7 % 15.9 %
Total $ 494 $ 472 $ 428 4.5 % 10.3 % 6.2 % 11.6 %
Lumigan/Ganfort
United States $ 187 $ 173 $ 242 7.5 % (28.4) % 7.5 % (28.4) %
International 242 259 272 (6.4) % (4.8) % (3.9) % (3.6) %
Total $ 429 $ 432 $ 514 (0.9) % (15.9) % 0.6 % (15.3) %
Alphagan/Combigan
United States $ 95 $ 121 $ 202 (21.8) % (40.1) % (21.8) % (40.1) %
International 153 151 144 1.5 % 4.9 % 7.6 % 10.4 %
Total $ 248 $ 272 $ 346 (8.8) % (21.4) % (5.4) % (19.1) %
Restasis
United States $ 172 $ 382 $ 621 (55.2) % (38.5) % (55.2) % (38.5) %
International 52 54 45 (3.0) % 19.3 % 2.1 % 25.3 %
Total $ 224 $ 436 $ 666 (48.7) % (34.6) % (48.1) % (34.2) %
Other Eye Care
United States $ 472 $ 433 $ 399 8.9 % 9.0 % 8.9 % 9.0 %
International 375 370 348 1.5 % 6.1 % 6.1 % 8.7 %
Total $ 847 $ 803 $ 747 5.5 % 7.6 % 7.6 % 8.8 %
Other Key Products
Mavyret United States $ 595 $ 659 $ 755 (9.7) % (12.7) % (9.7) % (12.7) %
International 716 771 786 (7.2) % (1.9) % (4.5) % 1.0 %
Total $ 1,311 $ 1,430 $ 1,541 (8.3) % (7.2) % (6.9) % (5.7) %
Creon United States $ 1,383 $ 1,268 $ 1,278 9.1 % (0.8) % 9.1 % (0.8) %
Linzess/Constella
United States $ 916 $ 1,073 $ 1,003 (14.6) % 7.1 % (14.6) % 7.1 %
International 38 35 32 7.5 % 8.8 % 7.2 % 9.7 %
Total $ 954 $ 1,108 $ 1,035 (13.9) % 7.1 % (13.9) % 7.1 %
All other $ 3,032 $ 3,035 $ 4,137 — % (26.7) % 1.4 % (25.7) %
Total net revenues $ 56,334 $ 54,318 $ 58,054 3.7 % (6.4) % 4.6 % (5.9) %
n/m – Not meaningful
(a) Net revenues include ImmunoGen product revenues after the acquisition closing date of February 12, 2024.
The following discussion and analysis of AbbVie's net revenues by product is presented on a constant currency basis.
Global Humira sales decreased 37% in 2024. In the United States, Humira sales decreased 41% in 2024 primarily driven by direct biosimilar competition following loss of exclusivity on January 31, 2023. Internationally, Humira revenues decreased 13% in 2024 primarily driven by the continued impact of direct biosimilar competition.
Net revenues for Skyrizi increased 51% in 2024 primarily driven by continued strong market share uptake as well as market growth across all indications.
Net revenues for Rinvoq increased 53% in 2024 primarily driven by continued strong market share uptake as well as market growth across all indications.
Net revenues for Imbruvica represent product revenues in the United States and collaboration revenues outside of the United States related to AbbVie's 50% share of Imbruvica profit. AbbVie's global Imbruvica revenues decreased 7% in 2024 primarily driven by decreased demand and lower market share in the United States as well as decreased collaboration revenues.
Net revenues for Venclexta increased 16% in 2024 primarily driven by continued market share uptake and market growth across all indications.
Net revenues for Elahere were $479 million in 2024 for the period subsequent to the completion of the ImmunoGen acquisition.
2024 Form 10-K |
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Net revenues for Botox Cosmetic increased 3% in 2024. In the United States, Botox Cosmetic net revenues increased 1% primarily driven by favorable pricing, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of customer inventory destocking and decreased consumer demand. Internationally, Botox Cosmetic net revenues increased 7% primarily driven by favorable pricing and increased consumer demand across key international markets.
Net revenues for Juvederm Collection decreased 12% in 2024 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of decreased consumer demand and customer inventory destocking.
Net revenues for Botox Therapeutic increased 11% in 2024 primarily driven by continued market share uptake as well as market growth.
Net revenues for Vraylar increased 18% in 2024 primarily driven by continued market share uptake as well as market growth.
Net revenues for Ubrelvy increased 23% in 2024 primarily driven by continued market share uptake as well as market growth.
Net revenues for Qulipta increased 61% in 2024 primarily driven by continued strong market share uptake as well as market growth.
Gross Margin
Percent change
years ended December 31 (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023
Gross margin $ 39,430 $ 33,903 $ 40,640 16 % (17) %
as a percent of net revenues 70 % 62 % 70 %
Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in 2024 increased compared to 2023. Gross margin percentage for 2024 was favorably impacted by lower intangible asset impairment charges and lower amortization of intangibles. Intangible asset impairment charges were $3.6 billion in 2023.
Selling, General and Administrative
Percent change
years ended December 31 (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023
Selling, general and administrative $ 14,752 $ 12,872 $ 15,260 15 % (16) %
as a percent of net revenues 26 % 24 % 26 %
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased in 2024 compared to 2023. SG&A expense was unfavorably impacted by litigation reserve charges of $910 million in 2024 compared to income of $485 million in 2023 and acquisition and integration costs incurred in connection with the ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics acquisitions including cash-settled, post-closing expense for both ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics employee incentive awards. The SG&A expense percentage increase in 2024 was partially offset by the favorable impact of leverage from revenue growth. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Research and Development
Percent change
years ended December 31 (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023
Research and development $ 12,791 $ 7,675 $ 6,510 67 % 18 %
as a percent of net revenues 23 % 14 % 11 %
Research and development (R&D) expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased in 2024 compared to 2023. R&D expense percentage for 2024 was unfavorably impacted by the intangible asset impairment charge of $4.5 billion related to emraclidine compared to an intangible asset impairment charge of $630 million in 2023, increased funding to support all stages of the company's pipeline assets and acquisition and integration costs incurred in connection with the ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics acquisitions including cash-settled, post-closing expense for employee incentive awards. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
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| 2024 Form 10-K
Acquired IPR&D and Milestones
years ended December 31 (in millions)
2024 2023 2022
Upfront charges
$ 2,627 $ 582 $ 445
Development milestones
130 196 252
Acquired IPR&D and milestones $ 2,757 $ 778 $ 697
Acquired IPR&D and milestones expense in 2024 included charges related to the upfront payments of $1.4 billion to acquire Aliada Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Aliada) and $250 million to acquire Celsius Therapeutics. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other Operating Expense (Income), Net
Other operating expense (income), net included a gain of $169 million in 2023 related to a development liability associated with an asset divested as part of the acquisition of Allergan, Inc. (Allergan) in 2020.
Other Non-Operating Expenses
years ended December 31 (in millions) 2024 2023 2022
Interest expense
$ 2,808 $ 2,224 $ 2,230
Interest income
(648) (540) (186)
Interest expense, net
$ 2,160 $ 1,684 $ 2,044
Net foreign exchange loss $ 21 $ 146 $ 148
Other expense, net 3,240 4,677 2,448
Interest expense in 2024 increased compared to 2023 primarily due to the incremental interest associated with financing the ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics acquisitions. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to debt issued to finance the ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics acquisitions.
Interest income in 2024 increased compared to 2023 primarily due to a higher average cash and cash equivalents balance and the impact of higher interest rates.
Other expense, net included charges related to changes in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities of $3.8 billion in 2024 and $5.1 billion in 2023. The fair value of contingent consideration liabilities is impacted by the passage of time and multiple other inputs, including the probability of success of achieving regulatory/commercial milestones, discount rates, the estimated amount of future sales of the acquired products and other market-based factors. In 2024, the change in fair value reflected higher estimated Skyrizi sales and the passage of time, partially offset by higher discount rates. In 2023, the change in fair value reflected higher estimated Skyrizi sales driven by stronger market share uptake, the passage of time and lower discount rates.
Income Tax Expense
The effective income tax rate was (15%) in 2024, 22% in 2023 and 12% in 2022. The effective income tax rate fluctuates year to year due to the allocation of the company’s taxable earnings among jurisdictions, as well as certain discrete factors and events in each year, including changes in tax law and business development activities. The effective income tax rates in 2024, 2023 and 2022 differed from the statutory tax rate principally due to the impact of foreign operations with lower income tax rates in locations outside the United States, the U.S. global minimum tax, changes in fair value of contingent consideration, tax audits and settlements, tax credits and incentives in the United States, Puerto Rico and other foreign tax jurisdictions, and business development activities. The effective income tax rate in 2024 was lower than prior periods due to the resolutions of various tax positions pertaining to multiple prior tax years, including the closing of U.S. IRS examinations covering three tax years, partially offset by increases in unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to prior years. The lower effective income tax rate in 2024 also reflects an increase due to acquisition costs related to certain business development activities and a decrease related to changes in fair value of contingent consideration. The effective income tax rate in 2023 was higher than prior periods due to increased changes in fair value of contingent consideration, intangible asset impairments and the impacts of the transition from the Puerto Rico excise tax to an income tax.
In 2022, Puerto Rico enacted Act 52-2002 (the Puerto Rico Act) allowing for a transition from a Puerto Rico excise tax levied on gross inventory purchases to an income-based tax beginning in 2023. The company completed the transition
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requirements of the Puerto Rico Act in 2022, resulting in the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on income tax rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future. The net tax benefit recognized in 2022 from the remeasurement of deferred taxes related to the Puerto Rico Act was $323 million.
Our net earnings and cash flows could be affected by future tax policy and law changes in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including changes in tax law related to the projects undertaken by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). These projects include a global minimum tax rate of 15%, referred to as "Pillar Two", and the creation of a new global system to tax income based on the location to which products are sold, referred to as "Pillar One." Numerous countries have agreed to a statement in support of the OECD model rules and European Union member states have agreed to implement Pillar Two. This implementation includes aspects of legislation that were effective starting in 2024. Significant details around the provision are still emerging. These potential changes increase tax uncertainty and may adversely impact income tax expense in future years. We will continue to monitor pending legislation and implementation by individual countries and evaluate the potential impact on our business in future periods.
FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
years ended December 31 (in millions) 2024 2023 2022
Cash flows provided by (used in)
Operating activities $ 18,806 $ 22,839 $ 24,943
Investing activities (20,820) (2,009) (623)
Financing activities (5,211) (17,222) (24,803)
Operating cash flows in 2024 decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to the timing of working capital and higher contingent consideration payments classified as operating cash flows, partially offset by increased results from operations driven by higher net revenues. Operating cash flows also reflected AbbVie’s contributions to its defined benefit plans of $326 million in 2024 and $366 million in 2023.
Investing cash flows in 2024 included $18.5 billion cash consideration paid to acquire ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics offset by cash acquired of $952 million, net sales and maturities of investment securities of $482 million, payments made for other acquisitions and investments of $3.0 billion and capital expenditures of $974 million. Investing cash flows in 2023 included payments made for other acquisitions and investments of $1.2 billion, capital expenditures of $777 million and net purchases of investments securities totaling $22 million.
Financing cash flows in 2024 included the issuance of unsecured senior notes totaling $15.0 billion aggregate principal which were used to finance the acquisitions of ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics. Additionally, financing cash flows included the issuance and repayment of $5.0 billion under the term loan credit agreement and repayments of $3.8 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.60% senior notes, €1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.38% senior euro notes, €700 million aggregate principal amount of 1.25% senior euro notes, $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.85% senior notes, $99 million of secured term notes assumed from ImmunoGen in conjunction with the acquisition and settlement of $400 million aggregate amount of 2.5% convertible senior notes assumed from Cerevel Therapeutics. During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the company refinanced its $2.0 billion floating rate three-year term loan. As part of the refinancing, the company repaid the existing $2.0 billion term loan due May 2025 and borrowed $2.0 billion under a new term loan due April 2027.
Financing cash flows in 2023 included repayment of $1.0 billion floating rate three-year term loan, $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the company's 2.85% senior notes and $350 million aggregate principal amount of the company's 2.80% senior notes. During the quarter ended December 31, 2023 the company also repaid €500 million aggregate principal amount of 1.50% senior euro notes and $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.75% senior notes at maturity.
Financing cash flows also included cash dividend payments of $11.0 billion in 2024 and $10.5 billion in 2023. The increase in cash dividend payments was primarily driven by an increase of the dividend rate.
The company's stock repurchase authorization permits purchases of AbbVie shares from time to time in open-market or private transactions at management’s discretion. The program has no time limit and can be discontinued at any time. AbbVie repurchased 7 million shares for $1.3 billion in 2024 and 10 million shares for $1.6 billion in 2023. AbbVie's remaining stock repurchase authorization was $3.5 billion as of December 31, 2024. On February 16, 2023, AbbVie's board of directors authorized a $5.0 billion increase to the existing stock repurchase authorization.
During 2024, the company issued and redeemed $7.7 billion of commercial paper. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, AbbVie issued commercial paper borrowings of which $3.3 billion were outstanding as of date of filing of this Annual Report
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on Form 10-K. There were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. AbbVie may issue additional commercial paper or retire commercial paper to meet liquidity requirements as needed.
Credit Risk
AbbVie monitors economic conditions, the creditworthiness of customers and government regulations and funding, both domestically and abroad. AbbVie regularly communicates with its customers regarding the status of receivable balances, including their payment plans and obtains positive confirmation of the validity of the receivables. AbbVie establishes an allowance for credit losses equal to the estimate of future losses over the contractual life of outstanding accounts receivable. AbbVie may also utilize factoring arrangements to mitigate credit risk, although the receivables included in such arrangements have historically not been a significant amount of total outstanding receivables.
Credit Facility, Access to Capital and Credit Ratings
Credit Facility
In December 2023, in connection with the acquisitions of ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics, AbbVie entered into a $9.0 billion 364-day bridge credit agreement and $5.0 billion 364-day term loan credit agreement. In February 2024, AbbVie borrowed and repaid $5.0 billion under the term loan credit agreement. AbbVie also issued $15.0 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes in February 2024. Subsequent to the issuance of these senior notes, AbbVie terminated both the bridge and term loan credit agreements in the first quarter of 2024.
AbbVie currently has an existing $5.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility that matures in March 2028. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, in addition to the existing revolving credit facility, AbbVie entered into a new $3.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility that matures in January 2030. The revolving credit facilities enable the company to borrow funds on an unsecured basis at variable interest rates and contain various covenants. At December 31, 2024, the company was in compliance with all covenants, and commitment fees under the credit facility were insignificant. No amounts were outstanding under the company's credit facilities as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Access to Capital
The company intends to fund short-term and long-term financial obligations as they mature through cash on hand, future cash flows from operations or has the ability to issue additional debt. The company's ability to generate cash flows from operations, issue debt or enter into financing arrangements on acceptable terms could be adversely affected if there is a material decline in the demand for the company's products or in the solvency of its customers or suppliers, deterioration in the company's key financial ratios or credit ratings, or other material unfavorable changes in business conditions. At the current time, the company believes it has sufficient financial flexibility to issue debt, enter into other financing arrangements and attract long-term capital on acceptable terms to support the company's growth objectives.
Credit Ratings
In August 2024, Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) affirmed its A3 senior unsecured long-term rating. At the same time, Moody’s revised its outlook to positive from stable. There were no other changes in the company’s credit ratings during 2024. Unfavorable changes to the ratings may have an adverse impact on future financing arrangements. However, they would not affect the company’s ability to draw on its credit facility and would not result in an acceleration of scheduled maturities of any of the company’s outstanding debt.
Future Cash Requirements
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes AbbVie's estimated material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024:
(in millions) Total Current Long-term
Long-term debt, including current portion $ 66,841 $ 6,771 $ 60,070
Interest on long-term debt (a)
36,040 2,764 33,276
Contingent consideration liabilities (b)
21,666 2,589 19,077
(a) Includes estimated future interest payments on long-term debt. Interest payments on debt are calculated for future periods using forecasted interest rates in effect at the end of 2024. Projected interest payments include the related effects of interest rate swap agreements. Certain of these projected interest payments may differ in the future based on changes in floating interest rates or other factors or events. The projected interest payments only pertain to
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obligations and agreements outstanding at December 31, 2024. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the company's debt instruments and Note 11 for additional information on the interest rate swap agreements outstanding at December 31, 2024.
(b) Includes contingent consideration liabilities which are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. Potential contingent consideration payments that exceed the fair value recorded on the consolidated balance sheet are not included in the table of contractual obligations. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these liabilities.
AbbVie enters into certain unconditional purchase obligations and other commitments in the normal course of business. There have been no changes to these commitments that would have a material impact on the company’s ability to meet either short-term or long-term future cash requirements.
Income Taxes
Future income tax cash requirements include a one-time transition tax liability on a mandatory deemed repatriation of previously untaxed earnings of foreign subsidiaries resulting from U.S. tax reform enacted in 2017. The one-time transition tax liability was $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2024 and is payable in two future annual installments.
Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits totaled $5.0 billion as of December 31, 2024. It is not possible to reliably estimate the timing of the future cash outflows related to these liabilities. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these unrecognized tax benefits.
Quarterly Cash Dividend
On October 30, 2024, AbbVie announced that its board of directors declared an increase in the company’s quarterly dividend from $1.55 per share to $1.64 per share beginning with the dividend payable on February 14, 2025 to stockholders of record as of January 15, 2025. This reflects an increase of approximately 5.8% over the previous quarterly rate. The timing, declaration, amount of and payment of any dividends by AbbVie in the future is within the discretion of its board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including AbbVie's financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of its operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of AbbVie's debt service obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets and other factors deemed relevant by its board of directors.
Collaborations, Licensing and Other Arrangements
AbbVie enters into collaborative, licensing and other arrangements with third parties that may require future milestone payments to third parties contingent upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory, or commercial milestones. Individually, these arrangements are insignificant in any one annual reporting period. However, if milestones for multiple products covered by these arrangements happen to be reached in the same reporting period, the aggregate charge to expense could be material to the results of operations in that period. From a business perspective, the payments are viewed as positive because they signify that the product is successfully moving through development and is now generating or is more likely to generate future cash flows from product sales. It is not possible to predict with reasonable certainty whether these milestones will be achieved or the timing for achievement. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these collaboration arrangements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. A summary of the company's significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of these policies are considered critical as these most significantly impact the company's financial condition and results of operations and require the most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results may vary from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
AbbVie recognizes revenue when control of promised goods or services is transferred to the company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration AbbVie expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Sales, value add and other taxes collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. AbbVie generates revenue primarily from product sales. For the majority of sales, the company transfers control, invoices the customer and recognizes revenue upon shipment to the customer.
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Rebates
AbbVie provides rebates to pharmacy benefit managers, state government Medicaid programs, insurance companies that administer Medicare drug plans, wholesalers, group purchasing organizations and other government agencies and private entities.
Rebate and chargeback accruals are accounted for as variable consideration and are recorded as a reduction to revenue in the period the related product is sold. Provisions for rebates and chargebacks totaled $59.3 billion in 2024, $56.8 billion in 2023 and $41.4 billion in 2022. Rebate amounts are typically based upon the volume of purchases using contractual or statutory prices, which may vary by product and by payer. For each type of rebate, the factors used in the calculations of the accrual for that rebate include the identification of the products subject to the rebate, the applicable price terms and the estimated lag time between sale and payment of the rebate, which can be significant.
In order to establish its rebate and chargeback accruals, the company uses both internal and external data to estimate the level of inventory in the distribution channel and the rebate claims processing lag time for each type of rebate. To estimate the rebate percentage or net price, the company tracks sales by product and by customer or payer. The company evaluates inventory data reported by wholesalers, available prescription volume information, product pricing, historical experience and other factors in order to determine the adequacy of its reserves. AbbVie regularly monitors its reserves and records adjustments when rebate trends, rebate programs and contract terms, legislative changes, or other significant events indicate that a change in the reserve is appropriate. Historically, adjustments to rebate accruals have not been material to net earnings.
The following table is an analysis of the three largest accruals for rebates and chargebacks, which comprise approximately 92% of the total consolidated rebate and chargebacks recorded as reductions to revenues in 2024.
(in millions) Medicaid
and
Medicare
Rebates Managed
Care
Rebates Wholesaler
Chargebacks
Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ 3,816 $ 3,097 $ 902
Provisions 11,713 14,119 13,070
Payments (10,331) (12,974) (12,829)
Balance as of December 31, 2022 5,198 4,242 1,143
Provisions 15,153 23,978 14,191
Payments (15,054) (21,200) (14,162)
Balance as of December 31, 2023 5,297 7,020 1,172
Provisions 15,866 24,127 14,782
Payments (13,756) (25,622) (14,797)
Balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 7,407 $ 5,525 $ 1,157
Other Allowances
Other allowances include cash discounts, product returns, sales incentives and other adjustments, which are accounted for as variable consideration and are recorded as a reduction to revenue in the same period the related product is sold. Reserves for cash discounts and sales incentives are readily determinable because the company's experience of payment history is fairly consistent. Product returns can be reliably estimated based on the company's historical return experience. Cash discounts totaled $2.0 billion in 2024, $2.0 billion in 2023 and $1.8 billion in 2022.
Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits
AbbVie engages outside actuaries to assist in the determination of the obligations and costs under the pension and other post-employment benefit plans that are direct obligations of AbbVie. The valuation of the funded status and the net periodic benefit cost for these plans are calculated using actuarial assumptions. The significant assumptions, which are reviewed annually, include the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the health care cost trend rates and are disclosed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The discount rate is selected based on current market rates on high-quality, fixed-income investments at December 31 each year. AbbVie employs a yield-curve approach for countries where a robust bond market exists. The yield curve is developed using high-quality bonds. The yield-curve approach reflects the plans' specific cash flows (i.e., duration) in calculating the benefit obligations by applying the corresponding individual spot rates along the yield curve. AbbVie reflects
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the plans' specific cash flows and applies them to the corresponding individual spot rates along the yield curve in calculating the service cost and interest cost portions of expense. For certain plans, AbbVie reviews various indices such as corporate bond and government bond benchmarks to estimate the discount rate.
AbbVie's assumed discount rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for defined benefit pension and other post-employment plans as of December 31, 2024. A 50 basis point change in the assumed discount rate would have had the following effects on AbbVie's calculation of net periodic benefit costs in 2025 and projected benefit obligations as of December 31, 2024:
50 basis point
(in millions) (brackets denote a reduction) Increase Decrease
Defined benefit plans
Net periodic benefit cost $ (25) $ 39
Projected benefit obligation (596) 664
Other post-employment plans
Net periodic benefit cost $ (5) $ 6
Projected benefit obligation (46) 51
The expected long-term rate of return is based on the asset allocation, historical performance and the current view of expected future returns. AbbVie considers these inputs with a long-term focus to avoid short-term market influences. The current long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan is supported by the historical performance of the trust's actual and target asset allocation. AbbVie's assumed expected long-term rate of return has a significant effect on the amounts reported for defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2024 and will be used in the calculation of net periodic benefit cost in 2025. A one percentage point change in assumed expected long-term rate of return on plan assets would increase or decrease the net period benefit cost of these plans in 2025 by $109 million.
The health care cost trend rate is selected by reviewing historical trends and current views on projected future health care cost increases. The current health care cost trend rate is supported by the historical trend experience of each plan. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care plans as of December 31, 2024 and will be used in the calculation of net periodic benefit cost in 2025.
Income Taxes
AbbVie accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Provisions for federal, state and foreign income taxes are calculated on reported pre-tax earnings based on current tax laws. Deferred taxes are provided using enacted tax rates on the future tax consequences of temporary differences, which are the differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and the tax benefits of carryforwards. A valuation allowance is established or maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Litigation
The company is subject to contingencies, such as various claims, legal proceedings and investigations regarding product liability, intellectual property, commercial, securities and other matters that arise in the normal course of business. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount within a probable range is recorded. Accordingly, AbbVie is often initially unable to develop a best estimate of loss and therefore, the minimum amount, which could be zero, is recorded. As information becomes known, either the minimum loss amount is increased, resulting in additional loss provisions, or a best estimate can be made, also resulting in additional loss provisions. Occasionally, a best estimate amount is changed to a lower amount when events result in an expectation of a more favorable outcome than previously expected.
Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
AbbVie has acquired and may continue to acquire significant intangible assets in connection with business combinations that AbbVie records at fair value. Transactions involving the purchase or sale of intangible assets occur between companies in the pharmaceuticals industry and valuations are usually based on a discounted cash flow analysis incorporating the stage of completion. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash flows, risk, cost of capital, terminal values and market participants. Each of these factors can significantly affect the value of the intangible asset. In-process research and development (IPR&D) acquired in a business combination is capitalized as an
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indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval is obtained, at which time it is accounted for as a definite-lived asset and amortized over its estimated useful life, or discontinuation, at which point the intangible asset will be written off. IPR&D acquired in transactions that are not business combinations is expensed immediately, unless deemed to have an alternative future use. Payments made to third parties subsequent to regulatory approval are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life.
AbbVie reviews the recoverability of definite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually or when an event occurs that could result in an impairment. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Annually, the company tests its goodwill for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount. Some of the factors considered in the assessment include general macro-economic conditions, conditions specific to the industry and market, cost factors, the overall financial performance and whether there have been sustained declines in the company's share price. If the company concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is performed. AbbVie tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount. If the company concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is performed.
For its quantitative impairment tests, the company uses an estimated future cash flow approach that requires significant judgment with respect to future volume, revenue and expense growth rates, changes in working capital use, the selection of an appropriate discount rate, asset groupings and other assumptions and estimates. The estimates and assumptions used are consistent with the company's business plans and a market participant's views. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease projected cash flows and the estimated fair value of the related intangible assets. Future changes to these estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on the company's results of operations. Actual results may differ from the company's estimates.
Contingent Consideration
The fair value measurements of contingent consideration liabilities are determined as of the acquisition date based on significant unobservable inputs, including the discount rate, estimated probabilities and timing of achieving specified development, regulatory and commercial milestones and the estimated amount of future sales of the acquired products. Contingent consideration liabilities are revalued to fair value at each subsequent reporting date until the related contingency is resolved. The potential contingent consideration payments are estimated by applying a probability-weighted expected payment model for contingent milestone payments and a Monte Carlo simulation model for contingent royalty payments, which are then discounted to present value. Changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration liabilities can result from changes to one or a number of inputs, including discount rates, the probabilities of achieving the milestones, the time required to achieve the milestones and estimated future sales. Significant judgment is employed in determining the appropriateness of certain of these inputs, which are disclosed in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Changes to the inputs described above could have a material impact on the company's financial position and results of operations in any given period.
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