The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a method for determining volume and hemoglobin content of individual red blood cells, originally assigned by Abbott Laboratories (ABT, Financial), on Sept. 8.
This method in conjunction with the microscopic evaluation of the distribution of sizes, shapes and color of red cells and other biochemical tests will provide more valuable insight into the condition of a patient with blood disorders such as microcytic anemias.
Microcytic anemia is one of many types of anemia characterized by red blood cells (erythrocytes) of reduced size, called microcytes, of less intensity than usual color (hypochromic). Among the main causes of this blood disorder are chronic conditions of iron deficiency, which affect nearly 1 billion people who need to be constantly monitored by blood tests and treated, and thalassemia that occurs in more than 200 million people with about 4.7 million having a severe disease.
Abbott is a global health care company that works to develop products and technologies that span the breadth of health care. This invention constitutes an interesting step forward toward the development of laboratory tests to better assess the conditions of patients suffering from blood disorders and anemia in particular. These medical issues increase the costs of medical care and lower productivity.
Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries with a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals.
Concerning the segment of total Diagnostic Products, sales increased 7.3% in 2015 and 6.4% in 2014, primarily driven by share gains in the Core Laboratory markets in the U.S. and internationally. The largest category in this segment is the immunochemistry products category. In the Diagnostic Products segment Abbott's strategy is to deliver integrated solutions to large health care customers.
The net sales of Diagnostic Products (approximately 23% of total net sales) increased 4.2%, from second quarter 2015 to second quarter 2016, and 3.3% from the first half of 2015 to the first half of 2016.
Approximately 25% of operating earnings come from the Diagnostic Products segment.
Abbott declared the 371st consecutive quarterly dividend of 26 cents per share on Sept. 15. The cash dividend is payable Nov. 15 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Oct. 14. The company has been paying dividends since 1924 and has increased its dividend payout for 44 consecutive years.
Abbot is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index.
Abbott is trading around $41.78 per share on the New York Stock Exchange and underperformed with 11.94% the Standard & Poor's 500.
The company has a market capitalization of $62.54 billion. As of the second quarter, cash and short-term investments amounted to $4.4 billion, and total long-term debt amounted to $6 billion. Cash flow from operating activities was about $3 billion in 2015, a 19.3% decrease from the previous fiscal year.
Disclosure: I have no positions in Abbott Laboratories.
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