S-3ASR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2020

Registration No. 333-            

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933

ABBOTT LABORATORIES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Illinois
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) 36-0698440
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400
(224) 667-6100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

Hubert L. Allen
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6020
(224) 667-6100
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service)

with copies to:

David K. Lam
Michael S. Benn
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 403-1000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

          If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:    o

          If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:    ý

          If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ý

          If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Large accelerated filer ý Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o

          If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered	Amount to Be Registered	Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Unit	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price	Amount of Registration Fee
Debt Securities	(2)	(2)	(2)	(1)

(1)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.

(2)

Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E. An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the debt securities is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices.

PROSPECTUS

Abbott Laboratories

Debt Securities

        By this prospectus, Abbott may offer from time to time debt securities.

        Abbott will provide you with the specific terms and the public offering prices of these debt securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Investing in our debt securities involves a number of risks. You should carefully read and consider the risk factors included in our periodic reports, in any prospectus supplements relating to specific offerings of securities and in other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and that are incorporated herein by reference.

        Neither the Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these debt securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated June 22, 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About This Prospectus	2
Abbott Laboratories	3
Use of Proceeds	4
Description of Debt Securities	5
Legal Opinions	13
Experts	14
Where You Can Find More Information	15

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Abbott filed with the Commission under the "shelf registration" process. Under this shelf registration process, Abbott may, from time to time, sell debt securities under this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities Abbott may offer. Each time Abbott sells debt securities, Abbott will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        As used in this prospectus, "Abbott" refers to Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, or Abbott Laboratories and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires.

Abbott has not authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representations concerning the debt securities that Abbott may offer, except those which are in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement that is delivered with this prospectus, any related free writing prospectus that Abbott authorizes, or any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Abbott takes no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information or representations that others may give or make to you. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the debt securities that are referred to in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy debt securities in any circumstances in which the offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not interpret the delivery of this prospectus, or any offer or sale of debt securities, as an indication that there has been no change in Abbott's affairs since the date of this prospectus.

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover of the applicable document. Abbott's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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ABBOTT LABORATORIES

        Abbott Laboratories is an Illinois corporation, incorporated in 1900. Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products. Abbott's products are generally sold directly to retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, health care facilities, laboratories, physicians' offices and government agencies throughout the world.

        Abbott has four reportable segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Nutritional Products, Diagnostic Products, and Medical Devices.

        Established Pharmaceutical Products—International sales of a broad line of branded generic pharmaceutical products.

        Nutritional Products—Worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products.

        Diagnostic Products—Worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories, physician offices and alternate-care testing sites. For segment reporting purposes, the Core Laboratories Diagnostics, Rapid Diagnostics, Molecular Diagnostics and Point of Care Diagnostics divisions are aggregated and reported as the Diagnostic Products segment.

        Medical Devices—Worldwide sales of rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, structural heart, neuromodulation and diabetes care products. For segment reporting purposes, the Cardiac Rhythm Management, Electrophysiology and Heart Failure, Vascular, Neuromodulation, Structural Heart and Diabetes Care divisions are aggregated and reported as the Medical Devices segment.

        Abbott's corporate offices are located at 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400, and the telephone number is (224) 667-6100.

        Abbott also maintains an Internet site at www.abbott.com. Abbott's website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein or in the accompanying prospectus supplement, and you should not rely on any such information in making an investment decision.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement in connection with a particular offering, Abbott will use the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities for general corporate purposes.

4

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The debt securities will be issued under a base indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015 (the "indenture"), between Abbott and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "trustee"). The following is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indenture, including definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. Wherever Abbott refers to particular sections or defined terms of the indenture, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the form of indenture that is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, for additional information. In this section of this prospectus, references to "Abbott" are to Abbott Laboratories (and not its subsidiaries) and any person that succeeds thereto, and is substituted therefor, under the terms of the indenture.

        The following summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. Each time Abbott offers debt securities, the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will describe the terms of the debt securities Abbott is offering.

General

        The debt securities will be Abbott's unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with Abbott's other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the transfer of debt securities will be registrable, at any office or agency maintained by Abbott for that purpose. The debt securities will be issued only in registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but Abbott may require you to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange.

        The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the debt securities Abbott is offering:

•

the title of the debt securities;

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

•

the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities is payable;

•

the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, or the method by which the rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which any interest will be payable, and the regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

•

the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

•

the person who is entitled to receive any interest on the debt securities, if other than the record holder on the record date;

•

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of Abbott;

•

the obligation, if any, of Abbott to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder and the period or periods

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within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Abbott will redeem, purchase or repay, in whole or in part, the debt securities pursuant to such obligation;

•

the currency, currencies or currency units in which Abbott will pay the principal of and any premium and interest on any debt securities, if other than the currency of the United States of America and the manner of determining the equivalent in U.S. currency;

•

if the amount of payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities may be determined with reference to an index or formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

•

if the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities is to be payable, at Abbott's election or at the election of the holder, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

•

if other than the debt securities' principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity;

•

the applicability of the provisions described in the section of this prospectus captioned, "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance";

•

if the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a book-entry security as described in the prospectus supplement, the depository Abbott appointed or its nominee with respect to the debt securities and the circumstances under which the book-entry security may be registered for transfer or exchange or authenticated and delivered in the name of a person other than the depository or its nominee; and

•

any other terms of the debt securities.

        Abbott may offer and sell the debt securities as original issue discount securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount securities and any debt securities the federal tax laws treat as having been issued with original issue discount. "Original issue discount securities" means any debt security that provides for an amount less than its principal amount to be due and payable upon the declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt security upon the occurrence and continuation of an "Event of Default."

        The indenture does not contain covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, change in credit rating or other similar occurrence.

Certain Covenants of the Company

        Restrictions on Secured Debt.    Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of the debt securities, if Abbott or any domestic subsidiary incurs, issues, assumes or guarantees any indebtedness for borrowed money represented by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money and that indebtedness is secured by a mortgage on any principal domestic property or on any shares of stock or debt of any domestic subsidiary, Abbott will secure, or cause its domestic subsidiary to secure, the outstanding debt securities equally and ratably with, or prior to, that indebtedness, so long as that indebtedness is so secured. Abbott is not required to secure the debt securities, however, if, after giving effect to securing such other indebtedness for borrowed money, the aggregate amount of all such secured indebtedness, together with all attributable debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions involving principal domestic

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properties (other than sale and leaseback transactions permitted pursuant to the second bullet under the heading "Restrictions on Sales and Leasebacks" below), would not exceed 15% of Abbott's consolidated net assets. This restriction will not apply to, and there shall be excluded in computing secured indebtedness for the purpose of this restriction, debt secured by:

•

mortgages on property of, or on any shares of stock or debt of, any person existing at the time that person becomes a domestic subsidiary;

•

mortgages in favor of Abbott or any subsidiary thereof;

•

mortgages in favor of U.S. or foreign governmental bodies to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments;

•

mortgages on property, shares of stock or debt existing at the time of acquisition thereof, including acquisition through merger or consolidation;

•

mortgages to secure the payment of all or any part of the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of the underlying property, or to secure debt incurred to provide funds for any such purpose, provided that the commitment of the creditor to extend the credit secured by any such mortgage is obtained not later than 365 days after the later of (a) the completion of the acquisition, construction, development or improvement of such property or (b) the placing in operation of such property;

•

with respect to each series of debt securities, mortgages existing on the first date on which such series of debt securities is authenticated by the trustee;

•

mortgages incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial revenue or similar financings;

•

mortgages created in substitution of or as replacements for any mortgages referred to in the foregoing list, inclusive, provided that, based on a good faith determination of an officer of Abbott, the property encumbered under any such substitute or replacement mortgage is substantially similar in nature to the property encumbered by the otherwise permitted mortgage which is being replaced; and

•

any extension, renewal or replacement of any debt secured by any mortgage referred to in the foregoing list, inclusive; provided, that such extension, renewal or replacement mortgage is limited to all or a part of the same property, shares of stock or debt that secured such mortgage and the debt secured by such mortgage at such time is not increased (other than by an amount equal to any related financing costs (including, but not limited to, the accrued interest and premium, if any, on the debt being refinanced) and, where an additional principal amount of debt is incurred to provide funds for the completion of a specific project that is subject to a mortgage securing the debt being extended, refinanced or renewed, by an amount equal to such additional principal amount).

        Restrictions on Sales and Leasebacks.    Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of the debt securities, neither Abbott nor any domestic subsidiary may enter into any sale and leaseback transaction, unless:

•

Abbott or the domestic subsidiary could incur debt secured by a mortgage on the principal domestic property under the restrictions described above under "Restrictions on Secured Debt" in an amount equal to the attributable debt with respect to the sale and leaseback transaction without equally and ratably securing the outstanding debt securities; or

•

Abbott, within 180 days after the sale or transfer by Abbott or any domestic subsidiary, applies to the retirement of Abbott's funded debt, which is defined as indebtedness for borrowed money of Abbott or of a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary having a maturity of, or by its terms

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extendible to a date, more than 12 months after the date of such application, an amount equal to the greater of:

(1)

the net proceeds of the sale of the principal domestic property sold and leased under such arrangement; or



(2)

the fair market value of the principal domestic property sold and leased, subject to credits for certain voluntary retirements of debt securities and funded debt.

        The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the restrictive covenants of Abbott:

•

"attributable debt" means the present value (discounted at the rate of 8% each year compounded monthly) of the obligations for net rental payments required to be paid during the remaining term of any lease of more than 12 months, subject to certain adjustments where the lessee has the right to terminate the lease upon the payment of a penalty on or after the date of determination.

•

"consolidated net assets" means the aggregate amount of assets, less reserves and other deductible items, after deducting current liabilities, as shown on Abbott's consolidated balance sheet contained in the latest quarterly report to Abbott's stockholders and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The calculation of "consolidated net assets" shall give pro forma effect to any acquisition by or disposition of assets in excess of $500,000,000 of Abbott or any of its subsidiaries that occurred since the end of such fiscal quarter, as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred on the last day of such fiscal quarter.

•

"domestic subsidiary" means a subsidiary of Abbott that transacts substantially all of its business or maintains substantially all of its property within the United States, excluding its territories, possessions and Puerto Rico, except a subsidiary that (1) is engaged primarily in financing operations outside of the United States or in leasing personal property or financing inventory, receivables or other property or (2) does not own a principal domestic property.

•

"mortgage" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other similar encumbrance.

•

"person" means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.

•

"principal domestic property" means any building, structure or other facility, together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part of it, used primarily for manufacturing, processing, research, warehousing or distribution, located in the United States, excluding its territories, possessions and Puerto Rico, owned or leased by Abbott or any of its domestic subsidiaries and having a net book value which, on the date the determination as to whether a property is a principal domestic property is being made, is in excess of 2% of Abbott's consolidated net assets, other than any such building, structure or other facility or a portion thereof which is an air or water pollution control facility financed by state or local governmental obligations or which Abbott's chairman of the board, chief executive officer, an executive vice president, a senior vice president or a vice president and the chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer determine in good faith, at any time on or prior to such date, is not of material importance to the total business conducted or assets owned by Abbott and its subsidiaries as an entirety.

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•

"sale and leaseback transaction" means any arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor (not including Abbott or any subsidiary) or to which any such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by Abbott or any domestic subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any principal domestic property which has been or is to be sold or transferred, more than 180 days after the acquisition thereof or the completion of construction and commencement of full operation thereof, by Abbott or any domestic subsidiary to such lender or investor or to any person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such principal domestic property.

•

"subsidiary" means any person which is a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or estate, and of which Abbott directly or indirectly owns or controls stock or other interests, which under ordinary circumstances, not dependent upon the happening of a contingency, has the voting power to elect a majority of such person's board of directors, managers, trustees or equivalent. The term does not include any person that does not own a principal domestic property if Abbott's chairman of the board, chief executive officer, an executive vice president, a senior vice president or a vice president and the chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer determine in good faith that Abbott's existing aggregate investments, including those of its domestic subsidiaries, in the person are not of material importance to the total business conducted, or assets owned, by Abbott or its subsidiaries, as an entirety.

Events of Default

        With respect to a series of debt securities, any one of the following events will constitute an event of default under the indenture:

•

failure to pay any interest or premium (if any) on any debt security of that series when due, continued for 30 days;

•

failure to pay principal of any debt security of that series when and as due;

•

failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any debt security of that series;

•

Abbott's failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant or warranty in the indenture, other than a covenant or warranty included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series, continued for 90 days after written notice as provided in the indenture;

•

certain events involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Abbott; or

•

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series.

        If any event of default (other than an event of default involving an event of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Abbott) occurs and continues, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of those debt securities, of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to Abbott, and to the trustee if given by holders. The principal amount (or specified amount) will then be immediately due and payable. If an event of default involving an event of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Abbott occurs, the principal of all the debt securities then outstanding or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of those debt securities, and any accrued interest of all the debt securities of that series, will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. After

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acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul the acceleration with respect to such series.

        Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement. An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are original issue discount securities will contain the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the stated maturity of a portion of the principal amount of that series of original issue discount securities upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default.

        The indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

        A holder of any series of debt securities will not have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

•

the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

•

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee;

•

the trustee has not instituted proceedings within 60 days after receipt of such notice; and

•

the trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request during the 60-day period.

        However, these limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder for enforcement of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on its debt securities on or after the respective due dates.

        Abbott is required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to its performance of certain obligations under the indenture and as to any default.

Modification and Waiver

        Abbott and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than the majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series which is affected. Neither Abbott nor the trustee may, however, modify or amend the indenture without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security affected if such action would:

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security;

•

reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon, or any premium payable upon redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

•

change the place or currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security;

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•

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security on or after the stated maturity thereof, or in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date;

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or

•

modify certain provisions of the indenture, except to increase any percentage of principal amount whose holders are required to approve any change to such provision or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each holder affected.

        The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive compliance by Abbott with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive any past default under the indenture, except (1) a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and (2) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of those holders of each outstanding debt security of that series affected.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

        Abbott shall not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:

•

the person formed by that consolidation or into which Abbott is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, Abbott's properties and assets substantially as an entirety is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes Abbott's obligations on the debt securities under a supplemental indenture;

•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing;

•

if Abbott's properties or assets become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance not permitted by the indenture, Abbott or such successor, as the case may be, takes the necessary steps to secure the debt securities equally and ratably with, or prior to, all indebtedness secured thereby; and

•

Abbott has delivered to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel stating compliance with these provisions.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        The indenture provides, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series of debt securities, that, at Abbott's option, Abbott:

•

will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of that series, except for certain obligations to register the transfer of or exchange of debt securities of that series, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of that series, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust ("defeasance"); or

•

need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the indenture, including those described in the section of the prospectus captioned, "Certain Covenants of the Company" and

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"Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" and the occurrence of an event described in the fourth bullet point in the section of the prospectus captioned, "Event of Default" relating to such covenants will no longer be an event of default ("covenant defeasance"),

in each case, if Abbott deposits, in trust, with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series on the dates such payments are due, which may include one or more redemption dates that Abbott designates, in accordance with the terms of the debt securities of that series.

        Abbott may establish this trust only if, among other things:

•

no event of default or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of the deposit, or insofar as an event of default resulting from certain events involving Abbott's bankruptcy or insolvency are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 121^st day after the date of the deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the expiration of the longest preference period applicable to Abbott in respect of the deposit;

•

the defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, will not cause the trustee to have any conflicting interest with respect to any other of Abbott's securities or result in the trust arising from the deposit to constitute, unless it is qualified as, a "regulated investment company";

•

the defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which Abbott is a party or by which Abbott is bound; and

•

Abbott has delivered an opinion of counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, and will be subject to federal income tax in the same manner as if the defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, had not occurred, which opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, a private ruling of the Internal Revenue Service addressed to Abbott, or otherwise a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture.

        If Abbott fails to comply with its remaining obligations under the indenture after a covenant defeasance of the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series and the debt securities of such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and U.S. government obligations on deposit with the trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. Abbott will, however, remain liable for those payments.

Concerning the Trustee

        U.S. Bank National Association will serve as the trustee under the indenture. The trustee performs services for Abbott in the ordinary course of business.

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LEGAL OPINIONS

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the debt securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for Abbott by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, New York, New York, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

13

EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries appearing in Abbott Laboratories' Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the effectiveness of Abbott Laboratories' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

14

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        Abbott files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. You may read and copy any document Abbott files with the Commission at the Commission's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Abbott's Commission filings are also available to the public on the Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, you may obtain free copies of the documents Abbott files with the Commission, including any of the documents filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference, by going to Abbott's website at www.abbott.com or by contacting Abbott's Investor Relations Department at 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, IL 60064-6400, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (224) 667-8945. The website address of Abbott is provided as an inactive textual reference only. The information provided on the Internet website of Abbott, other than copies of the documents listed below that have been filed with the Commission, is not part of this prospectus and, therefore, is not incorporated herein by reference.

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Abbott filed with the Commission. The Commission allows Abbott to "incorporate by reference" the information Abbott files with the Commission. This means that Abbott can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents that Abbott identifies as part of this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Abbott incorporates by reference the documents listed below:

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019;

•

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020;

•

Information from the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 13, 2020 that is incorporated by reference in Abbott's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019; and

•

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2020, February 11, 2020, February 27, 2020, and April 28, 2020.

        Abbott also incorporates by reference any future filings it makes with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of the filing of this registration statement and before Abbott has terminated the offering. Abbott's subsequent filings with the Commission will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus.

        You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement. Abbott has not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. This prospectus is an offer to sell or buy only the debt securities described in this document, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current and accurate only as of the date of this prospectus.

15

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        An estimate of the various expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the debt securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15.    Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

        Restated Article R-VI of Abbott's Restated Articles of Incorporation provides that Abbott shall, in the case of persons who are or were directors or officers of Abbott, and may, as to other persons, indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Abbott, or is or was serving at the request of Abbott as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. Article R-VI also provides that Abbott shall, in the case of persons who are or were directors or officers of the corporation, and may as to such other persons, advance expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred in defending such actions, suits, or proceedings.

        Section 8.75 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than one brought on behalf of the corporation, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of such corporation and, in criminal actions or proceedings, in addition, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of actions on behalf of the corporation, indemnification may extend only to expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit and only if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, provided that no such indemnification is permitted in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation except to the extent that the adjudicating court otherwise provides. To the extent that a present or former director, officer or employee of the corporation has been successful in defending any such action, suit or proceeding (even one on behalf of the corporation) or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person is entitled to indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation.

        The indemnification provided for by the Illinois Business Corporation Act is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, and a corporation may maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent against liabilities for which indemnification is not expressly provided by the Illinois Business Corporation Act. Abbott's directors and officers are insured under a directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by Abbott.

        The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Illinois law and Abbott's Restated Articles of Incorporation dealing with the indemnification of directors and officers and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those

sections of the Illinois Business Corporation Act referenced above and Abbott's Restated Articles of Incorporation.

Item 16.    Exhibits.

        The following exhibits are included herein or incorporated herein by reference:

Exhibit Number			Description
	1.1	*	Form of Underwriting Agreement.
	4.1		Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015, between Abbott Laboratories and U.S. Bank National Association (including form of Security) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Abbott Laboratories' Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 10, 2015).
	5.1		Opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
	23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
	23.2		Consent of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
	24.1		Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this registration statement).
	25.1		Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association on Form T-1.

*

To be filed by amendment or by a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 17.    Undertakings.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:



(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;



(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and



(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) of this section (1) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.



(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:



(i)

If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:



(A)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and



(B)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.



(ii)

If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.



(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the

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following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;



(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;



(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and



(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.



(6)

That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



(7)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the County of Lake, State of Illinois, on June 22, 2020.

ABBOTT LABORATORIES
By:	/s/ ROBERT B. FORD Robert B. Ford President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below on this registration statement hereby constitutes and appoints Hubert L. Allen and Robert E. Funck, Jr. and each of them, with full power to act without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (unless revoked in writing), to sign any and all amendments to the Registrant's Form S-3 registration statement and any registration statement or amendment under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might and could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on June 22, 2020.

Signature	Title
/s/ ROBERT B. FORD Robert B. Ford	President and Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ ROBERT E. FUNCK, JR. Robert E. Funck, Jr.	Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ PHILIP P. BOUDREAU Philip P. Boudreau	Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ MILES D. WHITE Miles D. White	Executive Chairman of the Board

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Signature	Title
/s/ ROBERT J. ALPERN, M.D. Robert J. Alpern, M.D.	Director
/s/ ROXANNE S. AUSTIN Roxanne S. Austin	Director
/s/ SALLY E. BLOUNT, PH.D. Sally E. Blount, Ph.D.	Director
/s/ MICHELLE A. KUMBIER Michelle A. Kumbier	Director
/s/ EDWARD M. LIDDY Edward M. Liddy	Director
/s/ DARREN W. MCDEW Darren W. McDew	Director
/s/ NANCY MCKINSTRY Nancy McKinstry	Director
/s/ PHEBE N. NOVAKOVIC Phebe N. Novakovic	Director
/s/ WILLIAM A. OSBORN William A. Osborn	Director
/s/ DANIEL J. STARKS Daniel J. Starks	Director
/s/ JOHN G. STRATTON John G. Stratton	Director
/s/ GLENN F. TILTON Glenn F. Tilton	Director

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EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

[LETTERHEAD OF WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ]

June 22, 2020

Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois  60064

Re:  Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on June 22, 2020

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special outside counsel to Abbott Laboratories (the “Company”), an Illinois corporation, in connection with the filing on the date hereof of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), including the prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (including the rules and regulations thereunder, the “Act”) in order to register an indeterminate amount of debt securities of the Company (the “Notes”) under the Act.  The Notes may be issued in one or more series under the Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement, as supplemented and amended with respect to each series of the Notes by the terms thereof established, as applicable, pursuant to an officers’ certificate pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of the Base Indenture, to be executed on the date the Notes are issued (the “Officers’ Certificate” and the Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended with respect to each series of Notes by the terms of the Officers’ Certificate, the “Indenture”).

In rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied on such corporate records and other documents, and we have reviewed such matters of law, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate.  We have also conducted such investigations of fact and law as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this letter.  In rendering this opinion, we have, with your consent, relied upon oral and written representations of officers of the Company and certificates of officers of the Company and public officials with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters addressed in such representations and certificates.  In addition, in rendering this opinion we have, with your consent, assumed (a) the authenticity of original documents and the genuineness of all signatures, (b) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, (c) each natural person signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so, (d) each person signing in a representative capacity any document reviewed by us had authority to sign in such capacity, (e) the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, representations and warranties contained in the records, documents, instruments and certificates we have reviewed, (f) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective under the Act, (g) a prospectus supplement and related term sheet filed as a free writing prospectus (a “term sheet”) will have been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) describing the Notes offered thereby, (h) any Notes that may be issued will be issued in a form that complies with the Indenture and

any Notes, indenture, supplemental indenture and officers’ certificate (pursuant to the Base Indenture) to be entered into in connection with the issuance of such Notes will be manually signed or countersigned, as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of the Company and of the Trustee or authenticating agent, (i) all Notes will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, including applicable provisions of “blue sky” laws, and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement and (j) the Registration Statement, the Indenture, the Notes, and any other documents pursuant to which the Notes are governed (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto (other than, with respect to the Company, the Offered Notes (as defined below)), and (k) the organizational documents of the Company, each as amended to the date hereof, will not have been amended from the date hereof in a manner that would affect the validity of the opinion rendered herein.  We have also assumed that the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents will not (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, or require any consent under, the charters, bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of any party to such documents or the laws of the jurisdictions of organization or other applicable laws with respect to such parties, (ii) violate any requirement or restriction imposed by any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over any party to such documents or any of their respective assets or (iii) constitute a breach or violation of any agreement or instrument that is binding on any party to the Transaction Documents.  We have also assumed that each party to the Transaction Documents other than the Company (in the case of parties that are not natural persons) has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under its jurisdiction of organization, that each such party (other than, with respect to the Company, the Offered Notes) has the legal capacity, power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations thereunder and that each of the Transaction Documents (other than, with respect to the Company, the Offered Notes) constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of all such parties, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms.  As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that, with respect to any series of Notes to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Notes”), when (a) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Act and the Indenture qualifies under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (b) an appropriate prospectus supplement and term sheet with respect to the Offered Notes has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (c) if the Offered Notes are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Notes has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (d) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Notes in the applicable amount and related matters, (e) the Officers’ Certificate has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Base Indenture, (f) the terms of the Offered Notes and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in

2

conformity with the Indenture, so as not to violate any applicable law or the organizational documents of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (g) the Offered Notes have been issued in a form that complies with, and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with, the provisions of the Indenture and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and any applicable supplement to the Prospectus, the Offered Notes, when issued and sold in accordance with the Indenture, and the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.

The opinion set forth above is subject to the effects of (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (b) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (c) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, (d) provisions of law that require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in United States dollars, (e) limitations by any governmental authority that limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States and (f) generally applicable laws that (i) provide for the enforcement of oral waivers or modifications where a material change of position in reliance thereon has occurred or provide that a course of performance may operate as a waiver, (ii) limit the availability of a remedy under certain circumstances where another remedy has been elected, (iii) limit the enforceability of provisions releasing, exculpating or exempting a party from, or requiring indemnification or contribution of a party for, liability for its own action or inaction, to the extent the action or inaction involves negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct or unlawful conduct, (iv) may, where less than all of a contract may be unenforceable, limit the enforceability of the balance of the contract to circumstances in which the unenforceable portion is not an essential part of the agreed exchange, (v) may limit the enforceability of provisions providing for compounded interest, imposing increased interest rates or late payment charges upon delinquency in payment or default or providing for liquidated damages or for premiums or penalties upon acceleration and (vi) limit the waiver of rights under usury laws.  We express no opinion as to whether, or the extent to which, the laws of any particular jurisdiction apply to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, the enforceability of the governing law provision contained in the Notes or the Indenture.  Furthermore, the manner in which any particular issue relating to the opinions would be treated in any actual court case would depend in part on facts and circumstances particular to the case and would also depend on how the court involved chose to exercise the wide discretionary authority generally available to it.  We express no opinion as to the effect of Section 210(p) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

This letter is given on the basis of the law and the facts existing as of the date hereof.  We assume no obligation to advise you of changes in matters of fact or law which may thereafter occur.  Our opinion is based on statutory laws and judicial decisions that are in effect on the date hereof, and we do not opine with respect to any law, regulation, rule or governmental policy which may be enacted or adopted after the date hereof.

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We are members of the bar of the State of New York.  This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the Illinois Business Corporation Act (including the statutory provisions, and reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing), in each case as in effect on the date hereof (the “Relevant Laws”).  We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Relevant Laws that a New York lawyer exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably be expected to recognize as being applicable to the Company, the Transaction Documents or the transactions governed by the Transaction Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing definition of Relevant Laws, the term “Relevant Laws” does not include any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company or the Transaction Documents or such transactions solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.

We hereby consent to the filing of copies of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to the references therein to us.  In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

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EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Abbott Laboratories for the registration of debt securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 21, 2020, with respect to the consolidated financial statements, schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

June 22, 2020

EX-25.1

Exhibit 25.1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER

THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of

a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)  o

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

31-0841368

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota	55402
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Linda Garcia

U.S. Bank National Association

190 S. LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

(312) 332-6781

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

Abbott Laboratories

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

Illinois	36-0698440
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

100 Abbott Park Road Abbott Park, Illinois	60064
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Debt Securities

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

FORM T-1

Item 1.GENERAL INFORMATION.  Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

a)Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Washington, D.C.

b)    Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

Item 2.AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.  If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

Items 3-15Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

Item 16.LIST OF EXHIBITS:  List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

1.A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.*

2.A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

3.A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.

4.A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.**

5.A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4.  Not applicable.

6.The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

7.Report of Condition of the Trustee as of March 31, 2020 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005.

** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to registration statement on form S-3ASR,  Registration Number 333-199863 filed on November 5, 2014.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois on the 22nd of June, 2020.

By:	/s/ Linda Garcia
	Linda Garcia
	Vice President

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Exhibit 2

4

Exhibit 3

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Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: June 22, 2020

By:	/s/ Linda Garcia
	Linda Garcia
	Vice President

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Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

As of 3/31/2020

($000’s)

	3/31/2020
Assets
Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions	$	46,699,020
Securities	122,149,987
Federal Funds	2,807
Loans & Lease Financing Receivables	316,711,655
Fixed Assets	9,075,777
Intangible Assets	12,477,802
Other Assets	26,012,043
Total Assets	$	533,129,091
Liabilities
Deposits	$	405,823,094
Fed Funds	1,428,527
Treasury Demand Notes	0
Trading Liabilities	1,392,214
Other Borrowed Money	55,078,404
Acceptances	0
Subordinated Notes and Debentures	3,850,000
Other Liabilities	14,338,298
Total Liabilities	$	481,910,537
Equity
Common and Preferred Stock	18,200
Surplus	14,266,915
Undivided Profits	36,132,907
Minority Interest in Subsidiaries	800,532
Total Equity Capital	$	51,218,554
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital	$	533,129,091

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