Abbott Named to Science Magazine's 2005 List of 'Top Employers' in the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry
- Unique Professional Development Opportunities for Scientists, Recognition for Innovative Thinking, Help Create an Environment Where Science Thrives -
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, Abbott (NYSE:ABT) is named among the top employers in the Science magazine 2005 Top Biotech and Pharma Employers survey.
"The Science survey of top biopharmaceutical employers showed that scientists at Abbott think highly of the company's dedication to innovation and its vision for the future," said Beth Rosner, publisher of the journal Science, published by the nonprofit AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science).
"Abbott's mission is to translate science into breakthrough medical advances that improve and extend the lives of people around the world," said Jeffrey M. Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief operating officer, Pharmaceutical Products Group and chief scientific officer, Abbott. "Helping our talented scientists reach their full potential is critical to Abbott's continued success. To that end, we have worked hard to build an exciting and rewarding environment where our scientists and their innovative ideas will flourish."
More than 1,566 Science readers and subscribers, and individuals from an industry source that were identified as working in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries were invited to participate in the survey. Details of the survey results are published in the September 2005 issue.
The 2005 survey participants were asked to rate their employers on attributes related to leadership and direction, financial prowess, work culture, work/life balance, academics and collegial exchange, and compensation and benefits.
Survey responses were analyzed by Senn-Delany Culture Diagnostics and Measurement, which uses a mathematical process to assign a unique score to rate the employer reputation of some 459 companies, taking into account 42 specific characteristics or attributes in seven categories.
Industry-Leading Development Opportunities
A number of unique development programs have been established for Abbott's scientists at all levels of the organization to help nurture and grow their skills in order to help them achieve success within the company. Leadership Development for Scientists, a leadership program specifically designed to provide enhanced skills for high-potential scientists and physicians, targets not only leadership, but also develops business skills that are not usually included in a scientist's normal curriculum. Abbott also offers a Physician Development Program, which is designed to give M.D.s who have never worked in industry a taste of the drug development process. Upon completion of a two- year rotational program, physicians in the program decide which area of development is best suited to their skill sets.
"Before coming to Abbott, I was treating pediatric cancer patients and doing oncology bench research at UCLA," said Anne E. Hagey, M.D., global project head, Oncology Cytotoxics, Abbott. "Abbott's Physician Development Program gave me both a broad-based introduction to pharmaceutical research and a hands-on opportunity to experience different facets of drug development. It was invaluable to me as I made the transition from being a clinician to working in industry."
Abbott also collaborates with top colleges and universities to develop curricula that will help scientists obtain a business background to work in industry. Through proactive collaborations like this, Abbott helps ensure that the candidates Abbott considers will have the appropriate backgrounds to achieve success in their positions.
In addition to professional development, Abbott has a number of initiatives designed to encourage innovative thinking. For example, the Drug Discovery organization in Abbott's Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development division offers innovation grants to employees who have breakthrough ideas. Since the program began in 2003, innovation grants have been given for a wide range of projects spanning drug design to new approaches to the treatment of depression. Another example is a scientist exchange program that gives scientists the opportunity to work in another area of Abbott research for 18 months, the idea being that innovative ideas often result when people with diverse experiences are brought into new situations. When the exchange period ends, the scientists then return to their previous departments with new perspectives, experiences and ideas to share.
Rewarding and Recognizing Innovative Ideas and Achievements
In addition to the Science survey, Abbott and its scientists have received several other awards for both scientific achievements and innovative products. In 2005, The Scientist magazine named Abbott as a top employer for scientists, Abbott's second consecutive year on the list. In 2003, three Abbott scientists were named Heroes of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society for their discovery of the HIV protease inhibitor Kaletra(R). Abbott received the 2003 Chicago Innovation Award for HUMIRA(R) (adalimumab) and in 2002 was given the R&D 100 Award by R&D Magazine for developing ACTOR(TM) (Automated Crystal Transport, Orientation and Retrieval), the world's first automated robot for drug sample handling.
Abbott's scientific achievements in HIV have received international recognition. In 1999, Abbott was the recipient of the fifth International Prix Galien Award for innovation in drug development for Norvir(R) (ritonavir), Abbott's first protease inhibitor. The Prix Galien is awarded every two years for the most innovative molecule developed for human use in the pharmaceutical field. Also in 1999, Abbott scientists received the Discoverers Award from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America for the development of Norvir. Each year, the award goes to scientists whose research and development of pharmaceuticals have greatly benefited humankind, and whose dedication and interest in improving the quality of life exemplify the best in the research industry today.
In addition to external honors, Abbott scientists are eligible for internal recognition. Induction into the prestigious Volwiler Society represents the highest honor an Abbott scientist can receive. Employees also are eligible for President's Awards, patent/inventor awards and several others.
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 60,000 employees and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com/ .
Source: Abbott
CONTACT: Elizabeth Hoff of Abbott, +1-847-935-4236
Web site: http://www.abbott.com/
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