Global Lead - Health Economics & Reimbursement, Electrophysiology

Abbott brings fast learning to life at its Fast Learners Field Day. October 15, 2026 VIA GRAPHIC PLUS | MANILA, Philippines (October 10, 2026) - Abbott hosted its Fast Learners Field Day to equip parents with practical insights on nutrition, child development and the importance of building strong foundations for learning. The event brought together families for interactive activities, learning experiences and an expert-led forum. The education-based forum highlighted how the right nutritional support helps children stay active and engaged, enabling them to make the most out of everyday learning opportunities during their formative years. Recognizing that every child's developmental journey is unique, experts emphasized that supporting a child's ability to learn goes beyond cognitive development alone. Gut health also plays a vital role through the important connection between the gut and brain. "A healthy tummy does more than support digestion," said Dr. Gamaliel Tayao, head of medical affairs for Abbott's nutrition business in the Philippines. "It also sends positive signals to the brain that can support mood, behavior, immunity and even learning. This is why Abbott pioneered research on special prebiotics called Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) in milk formulas to help support a healthy gut, strengthen immunity and nurture the gut-brain connection." Abbott's research has found children who consumed formula with five HMOs experienced 40% fewer healthcare visits and an average of 3.4 fewer sick days than children who did not receive HMO-enriched formula. These children also showed stronger language and social development, with 38% more imitating words as they began to speak and 24% more understanding everyday phrases compared with those who did not receive five-HMO formula. These differences reflect early communication behaviors considered important foundations for learning. Supporting every child's unique learning journey At the Fast Learners Field Day, parents and children explored the Fast Learner Trails, a series of interactive activity stations designed to showcase the building blocks that help children learn, grow and thrive. At the first station, children tackled creative challenges that encouraged problem-solving, imagination and confidence, reinforcing the importance of giving young minds opportunities to explore, discover and learn through play. This activity was powered by Similac GainSchool, which highlighted how nutrition with added gangliosides supports faster brain connections, helping children stay ready to learn every day. The second station demonstrated how a healthy tummy helps children stay comfortable, engaged and focused, allowing them to make the most of everyday learning experiences. Powered by Similac TummiCare HW, this station introduced families to the formula's unique Triple Comfort Blend that includes partially hydrolyzed whey protein, which helps reduce allergy risk and relieves tummy troubles. At the third station, parents learned that a child's nutritional needs can also be influenced by how their journey begins. Children born via C-section may have fewer beneficial gut bacteria due to missed exposure to microbes typically acquired during normal delivery. This can affect early immune development and may call for more targeted nutritional support. For moms of C-section-born children, Similac Essencia+ is enriched with immunity-supporting nutrients, including Abbott's highest levels of five HMOs, BB-12 probiotics and nucleotides that help promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, supporting immune health during a critical stage of development. "Understanding how nutrition supports gut health and immunity can help parents give their children the foundation they need to participate fully in the experiences that shape their cognitive development," said Dr. Tayao. "Learning happens every day, whether children are solving problems, exploring their surroundings or interacting with others. To make the most of these opportunities, children need strong nutritional support to help nurture both their physical and cognitive development." Backed by science, trusted by families Parents play a vital role in nurturing their children's cognitive development by encouraging curiosity, supporting their interests and creating opportunities for exploration and discovery. Supported by proper nutrition, these everyday experiences help children build the confidence and resilience to become fast learners. Backed by more than 100 years of pediatric nutrition expertise and decades of HMO research, Abbott continues to support parents with science-based nutritional solutions through its range of Similac products, which are formulated to address children's unique needs at every stage of development. Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.

Abbott (NYSE:ABT) shares, now under $100, could reach about $210 by 2036 under a conservative model, according to one investor's analysis. The model assumes earnings per share grow 8% a year to $11.93, with a valuation multiple of 17.5x. Abbott grew adjusted earnings per share at 9.7% a year over the past decade, from $2.20 in 2016 to an expected $5.53 this year. Sales rose from nearly $21 billion to about $47 billion, helped by buying St. Jude Medical for $25 billion, Alere for $5.8 billion, and Exact Sciences for $21 billion. The stock has returned more than 175% with dividends reinvested over 10 years. It yields 2.5% and has raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years. Risks include integrating Exact Sciences and the debt from that all-cash deal.

Updates and evolution in aortic disease care, with Edward Chen, MD. Chen discusses his experience with aortic and cardiac surgery, as well as ongoing research into ways to optimize and improve care. care has been on an upward trajectory in 2026, with recent guideline updates and trial readouts providing new perspectives on the myriad issues within this specialty. In an interview with HCPLive, Edward Chen, MD, professor of surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and chief of cardiac surgery at Jefferson Abington Hospital, discussed his perspective on the growth of aortic surgery and his expertise in its application. "Over the last 25 years since I started my training in cardiac surgery, taking care of the patient after the operation has really led to significant improvement in the outcomes of these types of operations," Chen told HCPLive. "Whereas before it might have been a coin flip, and it would be hard to know if someone's going to do well, now, with the right patient selection and thorough evaluation of all of the variables, we can be very confident that many of these patients can go on to not only normal recovery, but a normal life." Chen's statements on this patient-first approach mirror the recently published European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2026 Clinical Practice Guidelines, published in February 2026, which emphasize the importance of the patient-centered treatment process. In the guidelines, the authors suggest that clinicians expand their focus to include patient perspectives while tailoring interventions to fit life expectancy and functional status. Additionally, the document pushes for further inclusion of multidisciplinary care, centralizing treatment in high-volume centers and prioritizing team-based decision making in regard to care.[1] Aortic disease care is also evolving through ongoing clinical trials, including the ARISE III trial at Stanford University. The program focuses on a less invasive alternative for certain high-risk patients with de novo Type A aortic dissections, evaluating the efficacy and safety of a new investigational stent graft device. The trial began in May of 2026 and is currently ongoing with plans to conclude in 2030. ARISE III currently aims to enroll 112 patients across the US.[2] Jefferson Health is also participating in an ongoing trial investigating the efficacy and safety of the Navitor Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) system, which is in development by Abbott. Roughly 1500 patients will be enrolled in the trial at <=80 sites in the US and <=15 internationally. The device will be investigated in both patients with symptomatic, severe native aortic stenosis at intermediate or low risk of surgical mortality and in patients with symptomatic heart disease due to failure of a surgical or transcatheter bioprosthetic aortic valve at high or greater surgical risk.[3] Chen also discussed his move to Jefferson Health and his upcoming projects within the organization, highlighting several potential targets for research. "A lot of this work involves looking at aortic root surgery outcomes related to valve repair, aortic arch operations, various methods for protection - not just what I do, but also what my colleagues do in microval repair, coronary artery bypass, transplantation, and so on," Chen said. "There's a wide breadth of research going on here, and really, I'm only just scratching the surface of what's being done." Editors' Note: Chen reports no relevant disclosures. References. * Wanhainen A, Gombert A, Antoniou GA, et al. European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2026 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Descending Thoracic and Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Diseases - Editor's Choice. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2026 Feb;71(2):172-270. * Nichols L. Stanford Continues to Advance Ascending Aorta Treatments Through National ARISE III Clinical Trial. Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. July 30, 2026. Accessed October 6, 2026. * Abbott Medical Devices. ENVISION IDE Trial: Safety and Effectiveness of NAVITOR in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (ENVISION). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05932615. Updated September 11, 2026. Accessed October 6, 2026.