Exhibit 10.9


 


ABBOTT LABORATORIES


1996 INCENTIVE STOCK PROGRAM


(as amended and restated through


February 20, 2004)


 


1.            
PURPOSE.  The purpose of
the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program (the “Program”) is to
attract and retain outstanding directors, officers and other employees of
Abbott Laboratories (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, and to furnish
incentives to such persons by providing opportunities to acquire common shares
of the Company, or monetary payments based on the value of such shares or the
financial performance of the Company, or both, on advantageous terms as herein
provided and to further align such persons’ interests with those of the
Company’s other shareholders through compensation that is based on the value of
the Company’s common shares.


 


2.            
ADMINISTRATION.  The
Program will be administered by a committee (the “Committee”) of at least two
persons which shall be either the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) or such other committee
comprised entirely of persons who are both: (i) “disinterested persons” as
defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (ii)
“outside directors” as defined under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provision; as the Board of Directors
may from time to time designate.  The Committee shall interpret the
Program, prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating thereto
and make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration
of the Program. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum and all determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of
its members. Any determination of the Committee under the Program may be made
without notice of meeting of the Committee by a writing signed by all of the
Committee members.  The Committee may, from time to time, delegate any or
all of its duties, powers and authority to any officer or officers of the Company,
except to the extent such delegation would be inconsistent with Rule 16b-3 of
the Securities and Exchange Commission or other applicable law, rule or
regulation.  The Chief Executive Officer of the Company may, on behalf of
the Committee, grant stock options and restricted stock awards under the
Program, other than to persons subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All such grants by the Chief
Executive Officer must be reported to, and ratified by, the Committee within
twelve months of the grant date but, if ratified, shall be effective as of the
grant date.


 


3.            
PARTICIPANTS.  Participants
in the Program will consist of such officers and other employees of the Company
and its subsidiaries as the Committee in its sole discretion may designate from
time to time to receive Benefits hereunder.  The Committee’s designation
of a participant in any year shall not require the Committee to designate such
person to receive a Benefit in any other year.  The Committee shall
consider such factors as it deems pertinent in selecting participants and in
determining the type and amount of their respective Benefits, including without
limitation (i) the financial condition of the Company; (ii) anticipated profits
for the current or future years; (iii) contributions of participants to the
profitability and development of the Company; (iv) prior awards to
participants; and (v) other compensation provided to participants. Non-Employee
Directors shall also be participants in the Program solely for purposes of


 


1

















 


receiving Restricted Stock
Awards under paragraph 13 and Non-qualified Stock Options under paragraph
14.  The term “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a member of the Board of
Directors who is not a full-time employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.


 


4.            
TYPES OF BENEFITS. 
Benefits under the Program may be granted in any one or a combination of (a)
Incentive Stock Options; (b) Non-qualified Stock Options; (c) Stock
Appreciation Rights; (d) Limited Stock Appreciation Rights; (e) Restricted
Stock Awards; (f) Performance Awards; and (g) Foreign Qualified Benefits, all
as described below.


 


5.            
SHARES RESERVED UNDER THE
PROGRAM.  There is hereby reserved for issuance under the Program: (i) an
aggregate of Five Million (5,000,000) common shares; plus (ii) an authorization
for each calendar year (the “Annual Authorization”) for the years 1996 through
1999, of seven-tenths of one percent (0.7%) of the total common shares of the
Company issued and outstanding as of the first day of such calendar year and
for the years from and including 2000, one and a half percent (1.5%) of the
total common shares of the Company issued and outstanding as of the first day
of such calendar year; which may be newly issued or treasury shares. The shares
hereby reserved are in addition to the shares previously reserved under the
Company’s 1981 Incentive Stock Program, 1986 Incentive Stock Program and 1991
Incentive Stock Program (the “Prior Programs”). Any common shares reserved for
issuance under the Prior Programs in excess of the number of shares as to which
options or other Benefits have been awarded on the date of shareholder approval
of this Program, plus any such shares as to which options or other Benefits
granted under the Prior Programs may lapse, expire, terminate or be canceled
after such date, shall also be reserved and available for issuance in
connection with Benefits under this Program. Any common shares reserved under
the Program for any calendar year under an Annual Authorization as to which
options or other Benefits have not been awarded as of the end of such calendar
year shall be available for issuance in connection with Benefits granted in
subsequent years.


 


If
there is a lapse, expiration, termination or cancellation of any Benefit
granted hereunder without the issuance of shares or payment of cash thereunder,
or if shares are issued under any Benefit and thereafter are reacquired by the
Company pursuant to rights reserved upon the issuance thereof, or shares are
reacquired pursuant to the payment of the purchase price of shares under stock
options by delivery of other common shares of the Company, the shares subject
to or reserved for such Benefit, or so reacquired, may again be used for new
options, rights or awards of any sort authorized under this Program; provided,
however, that in no event may the number of common shares issued under this
Program, and not reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved upon the
issuance thereof or pursuant to the payment of the purchase price of shares
under stock options by delivery of other common shares of the Company, exceed
the total number of shares reserved for issuance hereunder.


 


6.            
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. 
Incentive Stock Options will consist of options to purchase common shares at
purchase prices not less than One Hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market
Value of such common shares on the date of grant. An Incentive Stock Option
will not be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date
such option is granted. In the event of termination of employment for any
reason other than


 


2

















 


retirement, disability or
death, the right of the optionee to exercise an Incentive Stock Option shall
terminate upon the earlier of the end of the original term of the option or
three (3) months after the optionee’s last day of work for the Company and its
subsidiaries. In the event of termination of employment due to retirement or
disability, or if the optionee should die while employed, the right of the
optionee or his or her successor in interest to exercise an Incentive Stock
Option shall terminate upon the end of the original term of the option. If the
optionee should die within three (3) months after termination of employment for
any reason other than retirement or disability, the right of his or her
successor in interest to exercise an Incentive Stock Option shall terminate upon
the earlier of the end of the original term of the option or three (3) months
after the date of such death. To the extent the aggregate fair market value
(determined as of the time the Option is granted) of the common shares with
respect to which any Incentive Stock Option is exercisable for the first time
by any individual during any calendar year (under all option plans of the
Company and its subsidiary corporations) exceeds $100,000, the excess shall be
treated as a Non-qualified Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall be
exercisable as determined by the Committee, but in no event earlier than six
(6) months from its grant date.


 


7.            
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK
OPTIONS.  Non-qualified Stock Options will consist of options to purchase
common shares at purchase prices not less than One Hundred percent (100%) of
the Fair Market Value of such common shares on the date of grant. A
Non-qualified Stock Option will not be exercisable after the expiration of ten
(10) years from the date such option is granted. In the event of termination of
employment for any reason other than retirement, disability or death, the right
of the optionee to exercise a Non-qualified Stock Option shall terminate upon
the earlier of the end of the original term of the option or three (3) months
after the optionee’s last day of work for the Company and its subsidiaries. In
the event of termination of employment due to retirement or disability, or if
the optionee should die while employed, the right of the optionee or his or her
successor in interest to exercise a Non-qualified Stock Option shall terminate
upon the end of the original term of the option. If the optionee should die
within three (3) months after termination of employment for any reason other
than retirement or disability, the right of his or her successor in interest to
exercise a Non-qualified Stock Option shall terminate upon the earlier of the
end of the original term of the option or three (3) months after the date of
such death. A Non-qualified Stock Option shall be exercisable as determined by
the Committee, but in no event earlier than six (6) months from its grant date.


 


8.            
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. 
The Committee may, in its discretion, grant a Stock Appreciation Right to the
holder of any stock option granted hereunder or under the Prior Programs. Such
Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions
consistent with the Program as the Committee shall impose from time to time,
including the following:


 


(a)          
A Stock Appreciation Right may
be granted with respect to a stock option at the time of its grant or at any
time thereafter up to six (6) months prior to its expiration.


 


3

















 


(b)          
Stock Appreciation Rights will
permit the holder to surrender any related stock option or portion thereof
which is then exercisable and to elect to receive in exchange therefor cash in
an amount equal to:


 


(i)           
The excess of the Fair Market
Value on the date of such election of one common share over the option price
multiplied by


 


(ii)          
The number of shares covered by
such option or portion thereof which is so surrendered.


 


(c)          
A Stock Appreciation Right
granted to a participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act may
be exercised only after six (6) months from its grant date (unless such
exercise would not affect the exemption under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission).


 


(d)          
A Stock Appreciation Right may
be granted to a participant regardless of whether such participant has been
granted a Limited Stock Appreciation Right with respect to the same stock
option.  However, a Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised during
any period that a Limited Stock Appreciation Right with respect to the same
stock option may be exercised.


 


(e)          
In the event of the exercise of
a Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares reserved for issuance
hereunder shall be reduced by the number of shares covered by the stock option
or portion thereof surrendered.


 


9.            
LIMITED STOCK APPRECIATION
RIGHTS.  The Committee may, in its discretion, grant a Limited Stock
Appreciation Right to the holder of any stock option granted hereunder or under
the Prior Programs.  Such Limited Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
subject to such terms and conditions consistent with the Program as the
Committee shall impose from time to time, including the following:


 


(a)          
A Limited Stock Appreciation
Right may be granted with respect to a stock option at the time of its grant or
at any time thereafter up to six (6) months prior to its expiration.


 


(b)          
A Limited Stock Appreciation
Right will permit the holder to surrender any related stock option or portion
thereof which is then exercisable and to receive in exchange therefor cash in
an amount equal to:


 


(i)           
The excess of the Fair Market
Value on the date of such election of one common share over the option price
multiplied by


 


(ii)          
The number of shares covered by
such option or portion thereof which is so surrendered.


 


4

















 


(c)          
A Limited Stock Appreciation
Right granted to a participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act
may be exercised only after six (6) months from its grant date (unless such
exercise would not affect the exemption under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission) and only during the sixty (60) day period commencing on
the later of:


 


(i)           
the day following the date of a
Change in Control; or (ii) the first date on which such exercise would be
exempt under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission.


 


(d)          
A Limited Stock Appreciation
Right may be granted to a participant regardless of whether such participant
has been granted a Stock Appreciation Right with respect to the same stock
option.


 


(e)          
In the event of the exercise of
a Limited Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares reserved for issuance
hereunder shall be reduced by the number of shares covered by the stock option
or portion thereof surrendered.


 


10.         (a)          
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.  Restricted Stock Awards will consist of common shares transferred
to participants without other payment therefor as additional compensation for
their services to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Restricted Stock
Awards granted under this paragraph 10 shall be satisfied from the Company’s
available treasury shares.  Restricted Stock
Awards shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee
determines appropriate, including, without limitation, restrictions on the sale
or other disposition of such shares and rights of the Company to reacquire such
shares upon termination of the participant’s employment within specified
periods.  Subject to such other
restrictions as are imposed by the Committee, the common shares covered by a
Restricted Stock Award granted to a participant who is subject to Section 16 of
the Exchange Act may be sold or otherwise disposed of only after six (6) months
from the grant date of the award (unless such sale would not affect the
exemption under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission).


 


(b)          
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.  Restricted
Stock Units will consist of an unfunded promise to deliver shares of stock at
some future date to participants without other payment therefore as additional
compensation for their services to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  Stock delivered under this paragraph 10(b)
shall be satisfied from the Company’s available treasury shares.  Restricted Stock Units granted under this
paragraph 10(b) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee
determines appropriate, including, without limitation, restrictions on the sale
or other disposition of such stock units, the rights of the Company to provide
for the forfeiture of such stock units upon termination of the participant’s
employment within specified periods and the right to receive dividend
equivalent payments.


 


(c)          
No more than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares available for
grant in any calendar year may be granted as Restricted Stock Units or
Restricted Stock Awards (in the aggregate) under paragraphs 10 and 13 in that
year.


 


11.          
PERFORMANCE AWARDS. 
Performance Awards in the form of Performance Units or Performance Shares may
be granted to any participant in the Program.  Performance Units shall
consist of monetary awards which may be earned in whole or in part if the
Company achieves certain goals established by the Committee over a designated
period of time. Performance Shares shall consist of common shares or awards
denominated in common shares which may be earned in whole or in part if the
Company achieves certain goals established by the Committee over a designated
period of time. The goals established by the Committee shall be based on any
one, or combination of, earnings per share, return on equity, return on assets,
total shareholder return, net operating income, cash flow, increase in revenue,
economic value added, increase in share price or cash flow return on
investment. Partial achievement of the goal(s) may result in a payment or
vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement. Payment of an award earned
may be in cash or in common shares or in a combination of both, and may be made
when earned, or may be vested and deferred, as the Committee in its sole


 


5

















 


discretion determines. 
The maximum amount which may be granted under all Performance Awards for any
one year for any one participant shall be Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000).
This limit shall be applied to Performance Shares by multiplying the number of
Performance Shares granted by the fair market value of one common share on the
date of the award.  During the term of the Program, no more than 5 million
shares of Abbott common stock may be granted in the form of Performance Units
and no more than 5 million shares of Abbott common stock may be granted in the
form of Performance Shares. This paragraph 11 is intended to comply with the
performance-based compensation requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall be interpreted in accordance with the
rules and regulations thereunder.


 


12.          
FOREIGN QUALIFIED
BENEFITS.  Benefits under the Program may be granted to such employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries who are residing in foreign jurisdictions as
the Committee in its sole discretion may determine from time to time.  The
Committee may adopt such supplements to the Program as may be necessary to
comply with the applicable laws of such foreign jurisdictions and to afford
participants favorable treatment under such laws; provided, however, that no
Benefit shall be granted under any such supplement with terms or conditions
which are inconsistent with the provisions as set forth under the Program.


 


13.          
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS FOR
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.


 


(a)          
Each year, on the date of the
annual shareholders meeting, each person who is elected a Non-Employee Director
at the annual shareholders meeting shall be awarded both: (i) a Restricted
Stock Award covering a number of common shares with a fair market value on the
date of the award closest to, but not in excess of, an amount equal to six
times the monthly fee in effect under Section 3.1 of the Abbott Laboratories
Non-Employee Director’s Fee Plan on the date of the award and (ii) in the years
1996 through 2005, a Restricted Stock Award covering a number of common shares
with a fair market value on the date of the award closest to, but not in excess
of, Twenty-Two Thousand Dollars ($22,000) for awards made in years 1996 through
2000 and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) for awards made in years 2001
through 2005.


 


(b)          
ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES. 
As soon as practicable following the date of the award the Company shall issue
certificates (“Certificates”) to the Non-Employee Director receiving the award,
representing the number of common shares covered by the award. Each Certificate
shall bear a legend describing the restrictions on such shares imposed by this
paragraph 13.


 


(c)          
RIGHTS.  Upon issuance of
the Certificates, the directors in whose names they are registered shall,
subject to the restrictions of this paragraph 13, have all of the rights of a
shareholder with respect to the shares represented by the certificates,
including the right to vote such shares and receive cash dividends and other distributions
thereon.


 


6

















 


(d)          
RESTRICTED PERIOD.  The
shares covered by awards granted under this paragraph 13 may not be sold or
otherwise disposed of within six (6) months following their grant date (unless
such sale would not affect the exemption under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission) and in addition shall be subject to the restrictions of
this paragraph 13 for a period (the “Restricted Period”) commencing with the
date of the award and ending on the earliest of the following events:


 


(i)           
The date the director terminates
or retires from the Board;


 


(ii)          
The date the director dies; or


 


(iii)         
The date of occurrence of a
Change in Control (as defined in paragraph 20(c)).


 


(e)          
RESTRICTIONS.  All shares
covered by awards granted under this paragraph 13 shall be subject to the
following restrictions during the Restricted Period:


 


(i)           
The shares may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of.


 


(ii)          
Any additional common shares of
the Company or other securities or property issued with respect to shares
covered by awards granted under this paragraph 13 as a result of any stock
dividend, stock split or reorganization, shall be subject to the restrictions
and other provisions of this paragraph 13.


 


(iii)         
A director shall not be entitled
to receive any shares prior to completion of all actions deemed appropriate by
the Company to comply with federal or state securities laws and stock exchange
requirements.


 


(f)           
Except in the event of conflict,
all provisions of the Program shall apply to this paragraph 13. In the event of
any conflict between the provisions of the Program and this paragraph 13, this
paragraph 13 shall control. Those provisions of paragraph 17 which authorize
the Committee to declare outstanding restricted stock awards to be vested and
to amend or modify the terms of Benefits shall not apply to awards granted
under this paragraph 13.  Restricted Stock Awards granted under this
paragraph 13 shall be satisfied from the Company’s available treasury shares.


 


14.          
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS FOR
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.


 


(a)          
Each Non-Employee Director may
elect to receive any or all of his or her fees earned during the second half of
1996 and each subsequent calendar year under Section 3 of the Abbott
Laboratories Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan (the “Directors’ Fee Plan”) in
the form of Non-qualified Stock Options under this Section 14.  Each such
election shall be irrevocable, and must be made in writing and filed with the
Secretary of the Company


 


7

















 


by December 31, 1995 (for
fees earned in the second half of 1996) and (for fees earned in subsequent
calendar years) by June 30 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in
which such fees are earned (or such later date as may be permissible under Rule
16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, but in no event later than
December 31 of such preceding calendar year).


 


(b)          
A Non-Employee Director may file
a new election each calendar year applicable to fees earned in the immediately
succeeding calendar year. If no new election or revocation of a prior election
is received by June 30 of any calendar year (or such later date as may be
permissible under paragraph (a)), the election, if any, in effect for such
calendar year shall continue in effect for the immediately succeeding calendar
year. Any election made under this Section 14 shall take precedence over any
election made by the director for the same period, under the Directors’ Fee
Plan, to the extent necessary to resolve any conflict between such
elections.  If a director does not elect to receive his or her fees in the
form of Non-qualified Stock Options, the fees due such director shall be paid
or deferred as provided in the Directors’ Fee Plan and any applicable election
thereunder by the director.


 


(c)          
The number of common shares
covered by each Non-qualified Stock Option granted in any year under this
Section 14 shall be determined based on an independent appraisal for such year
of the intrinsic value of options granted hereunder and the amount of fees
covered by the director’s election for such year.  The number of common
shares covered by options granted in 1996 (as determined under this procedure)
shall be the number of whole shares equal to (i) the product of three (3) times
the amount of fees which the director has elected under paragraph (a) to
receive in the form of Non-qualified Stock Options, divided by (ii) One Hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one common share on the grant date.
Any fraction of a share shall be disregarded, and the remaining amount of the
fees corresponding to such option shall be paid as provided in the Directors’
Fee Plan and any applicable election thereunder by the director.


 


(d)          
Effective on October 10, 1997,
each Non-qualified Stock Option due a director under this Section 14 prior to
the 1998 annual shareholders meeting shall be granted on October 10, 1997 at a
purchase price equal to One Hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of
the common shares covered by such option on the grant date.  Effective with
the 1998 Annual Shareholders Meeting, each Non-qualified Stock Option due a
director under this Section 14 shall be granted annually, on the date of the
annual shareholders meeting, at a purchase price equal to One Hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the common shares covered by such option on
the grant date.  Each such option shall be immediately exercisable and
nonforfeitable, and shall not be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10)
years from the date it is granted. Each such option shall contain provisions
allowing payment of the purchase price and, to the extent permitted, any taxes
due on exercise, by delivery of other common


 


8

















 


shares of the Company (or,
in the case of the payment of taxes, by withholding of shares).


 


(e)          
All Non-qualified Stock Options
granted under this Section 14 prior to October 10, 1997, shall be immediately
exercisable and nonforfeitable, and shall not be exercisable after the
expiration of ten (10) years from the date granted.


 


15.          
NONTRANSFERABILITY.  Except
as provided by the Committee, each stock option and stock appreciation right
granted under this Program shall not be transferable other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable, during the
participant’s lifetime, only by the participant or the participant’s guardian
or legal representative.


 


16.          
OTHER PROVISIONS.  The
award of any Benefit under the Program may also be subject to other provisions
(whether or not applicable to the Benefit awarded to any other participant) as
the Committee determines appropriate, including, without limitation, provisions
for the purchase of common shares under stock options in installments,
provisions for the payment of the purchase price of shares under stock options
by delivery of other common shares of the Company having a then market value
equal to the purchase price of such shares, restrictions on resale or other
disposition, such provisions as may be appropriate to comply with federal or
state securities laws and stock exchange requirements and understandings or
conditions as to the participant’s employment in addition to those specifically
provided for under the Program.


 


In
the case of a participant who is subject to Section 16(a) and 16(b) of the
Exchange Act, the Committee may, at any time, add such conditions and
limitations to any Benefit granted to such participant, or any feature of any
such Benefit, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or
desirable to comply with Section 16(a) or 16(b) and the rules and regulations
thereunder or to obtain any exemption therefrom. A participant may pay the
purchase price of shares under stock options by delivery of a properly executed
exercise notice together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to
deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the
purchase price.  To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may enter into
agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms.


 


The
Committee may, in its discretion and subject to such rules as it may adopt,
permit or require a participant to pay all or a portion of the federal, state
and local taxes, including FICA and medicare withholding tax, arising in
connection with the following transactions: (a) the exercise of a Non-qualified
Stock Option; (b) the lapse of restrictions on common shares received as a
Restricted Stock Award; or (c) the receipt or exercise of any other Benefit; by
(i) having the Company withhold common shares, (ii) tendering back common
shares received in connection with such Benefit or (iii) delivering other
previously acquired common shares of the Company having a fair market value
approximately equal to the amount to be withheld.


 


The
Committee may grant stock options under the Program (and, for stock options
granted prior to shareholder approval of this Program, under the Company’s 1991
Incentive Stock Program) that provide for the grant of replacement stock
options if all or


 


9

















 


any portion of the purchase
price or taxes incurred in connection with the exercise, are paid by delivery
(or, in the case of payment of taxes, by withholding of shares) of other common
shares of the Company.  The replacement stock option shall cover the
number of common shares surrendered to pay the purchase price, plus the number
of shares surrendered or withheld to satisfy the participant’s tax liability,
shall have an exercise price equal to One Hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value of such common shares on the date such replacement stock option is
granted, shall first be exercisable six months from the date of grant of the
replacement stock option and shall have an expiration date equal to the
expiration date of the original stock option.


 


17.          
TERM OF PROGRAM AND AMENDMENT,
MODIFICATION, CANCELLATION OR ACCELERATION OF BENEFITS.  The Program shall
continue in effect until terminated by the Board of Directors, except that no Incentive
Stock Option shall be granted after October 13, 2005 and that no other Benefits
shall be granted after April 27, 2010. The terms and conditions applicable to
any Benefits may at any time be amended, modified or canceled by mutual
agreement between the Committee and the participant or such other persons as
may then have an interest therein, so long as any amendment or modification
does not increase the number of common shares issuable under this Program; and
provided further, that the Committee may, at any time and in its sole
discretion, declare any or all stock options and stock appreciation rights then
outstanding under this Program or the Prior Programs to be exercisable and any
or all then outstanding Restricted Stock Awards to be vested, whether or not
such options, rights or awards are then otherwise exercisable or vested.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in paragraph 22, the
Committee shall neither lower the purchase price of any option granted under
the Program nor grant any option under the Program in replacement of a
cancelled option which had previously been granted at a higher purchase price,
without shareholder approval.


 


18.          
AMENDMENT TO PRIOR PROGRAMS. No
options or other Benefits shall be granted under the Prior Programs on or after
the date of shareholder approval of this Program.


 


19.          
INDIVIDUAL LIMIT ON OPTIONS AND
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS; AGGREGATE LIMIT ON INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. The
maximum number of shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options,
Non-qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Limited Stock
Appreciation Rights may be granted to any one participant, in aggregate in any
one calendar year, shall be Two Million (2,000,000) shares. Incentive Stock
Options with respect to no more than the lesser of (i) One Hundred and Fifty
Million (150,000,000) shares (plus any shares acquired by the Company pursuant
to payment of the purchase price of shares under incentive stock options by
delivery of other common shares of the Company), or (ii) the total number of
shares reserved under paragraph 5 may be issued under the Plan.


 


20.          
TAXES.  The Company shall
be entitled to withhold the amount of any tax attributable to any amount
payable or shares deliverable under the Program after giving the person
entitled to receive such amount or shares notice as far in advance as
practicable, and the Company may defer making payment or delivery if any such
tax may be pending unless and until indemnified to its satisfaction.


 


10

















 


21.          
DEFINITIONS.


 


(a)          
FAIR MARKET VALUE.  Except
as provided below, the Fair Market Value of the Company’s common shares shall
be determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established by the
Committee; provided that, in the case of any Limited Stock Appreciation Right
(other than a right related to an Incentive Stock Option), the Fair Market
Value shall be the higher of:


 


(i)           
The highest daily closing price
of the Company’s common shares during the sixty (60) day period following the
Change in Control; or


 


(ii)          
The highest gross price paid or
to be paid for the Company’s common shares in any of the transactions described
in paragraphs 21(c)(i) and 21(c)(ii).


 


(b)          
SUBSIDIARY.  The term
“subsidiary” for all purposes other than the Incentive Stock Option provisions
in paragraph 6, shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture or
business trust, fifty percent (50%) or more of the control of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company. For Incentive Stock Option purposes the
term “subsidiary” shall be defined as provided in Internal Revenue Code Section
424(f).


 


(c)          
CHANGE IN CONTROL.  A
“Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred on the earliest of the
following dates:


 


(i)           
the date any Person is or
becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any
securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing
20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in
connection with a transaction described in clause (a) of paragraph (iii) below;
or


 


(ii)          
the date the following
individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of
directors then serving: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the
Board of Directors and any new director (other than a director whose initial
assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election
contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the
election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the
Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was
approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors
then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose
appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or
recommended; or


 


11

















 


(iii)         
the date on which there is
consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect
subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, other
than (a) a merger or consolidation (I) immediately following which the
individuals who comprise the Board of Directors immediately prior thereto
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company, the
entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity
surviving such merger or consolidation is then a subsidiary, the ultimate
parent thereof and (II) which results in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with
the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least
50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such
surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such
merger or consolidation, or (b) a merger or consolidation effected to implement
a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person
is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person
any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates)
representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then
outstanding securities; or


 


(iv)         
the date the shareholders of the
Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or
there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of
all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets
to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company, in combination
with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under
an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately
prior to such sale.


 


Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue
of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions
immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the
Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of


 


12

















 


transactions continue to
have  substantially the same
proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of
transactions.


 


For purposes of this
Program: “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated
under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning
set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; and “Person” shall have the
meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i)
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its
Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an
offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or
indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.


 


(d)          
DISABILITY.  The term
“disability” for all purposes of the Program shall mean the participant’s
disability as defined in subsection 4.1(a) of the Abbott Laboratories Extended
Disability Plan for twelve (12) consecutive months.


 


22.          
ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS.


 


(a)          
If the Company shall at any time
change the number of issued common shares without new consideration to the
Company (such as by stock dividends or stock splits), the total number of
shares reserved for issuance under this Program, the individual and aggregate
limits described in paragraphs 11 and 19 on the number of shares that may be
granted or issued (as the case may be), the number of shares covered by each
outstanding Benefit and the purchase price of such shares shall be adjusted so
that the aggregate consideration payable to the Company and the value of each
such Benefit shall not be changed.  Subject to paragraph 22(c), the
Committee shall also have the right to provide for the continuation of Benefits
or for other equitable adjustments after changes in the Company or in the
common shares resulting from reorganization, sale, merger, consolidation,
spin-off or similar occurrence.


 


(b)          
Subject to paragraph 22(c),
without affecting the number of shares otherwise reserved or available
hereunder, the Committee may authorize the issuance or assumption of Benefits
in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock,
or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.


 


13

















 


(c)          
Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Program or the Prior Programs including the terms of any
Benefit granted hereunder, if the outstanding common shares of the Company
shall be combined, or be changed into, or exchanged for, another kind of stock
of the Company, into securities of another corporation, or into property
(including cash) whether through recapitalization, reorganization, sale,
merger, consolidation, spin-off, business combination or a similar transaction
(a “Transaction”), the Company shall cause its successor, acquiror (or ultimate
parent of any successor or acquiror), as applicable, to assume each stock
option, Stock Appreciation Right and Limited Stock Appreciation Right
outstanding immediately prior to the Transaction (or to cause new options or
rights to be substituted therefor).  Pursuant to such assumed or
substituted option or rights, participants shall thereafter be entitled to
receive, upon due exercise of any portion of the option or right, (a) in the
event of a Transaction in which the outstanding common shares of the Company
are combined, or changed into, or exchanged for, solely another kind of stock
of the Company or securities of another corporation (disregarding, for this
purpose, cash paid in lieu of fractional shares), the securities which that
person would have been entitled to receive for common shares acquired through
exercise of the same portion of such option or right immediately prior to the
effective date of such Transaction, and (b) in the event of a Transaction in which
the outstanding common shares of the Company are changed into, or exchanged
for, property (including cash) other than solely stock of the Company or
securities of another corporation (disregarding, for this purpose, cash paid in
lieu of fractional shares), securities the fair market value of which
immediately following the effective date of such Transaction (as determined by
the Committee) equals the fair market value (as determined by the Committee) of
the property which that person would have been entitled to receive for common
shares acquired through exercise of the same portion of such option or right
immediately prior to the effective date of such Transaction.  In each case
such assumed or substituted option or right shall continue to be subject to the
same terms and conditions (including, without limitation, with respect to any
right to receive “replacement options” upon option exercise) to which it was
subject immediately prior to the Transaction.


 


Notwithstanding the
immediately preceding paragraph, upon a Transaction in which the outstanding
common shares of the Company are changed into, or exchanged for, property
(including cash) other than solely stock of the Company or securities of
another corporation (disregarding, for this purpose, cash paid in lieu of
fractional shares) and which constitutes a Change in Control, each participant
may elect to receive, immediately following such Transaction in exchange for
cancellation of any stock option (other than an Incentive Stock Option granted
prior to June 20, 2003), Stock Appreciation Right or Limited Appreciation Right
held by such participant immediately prior to the Transaction, a cash payment,
with respect to each common share subject to such option or right, equal to the
difference between the value of consideration (as determined by the


 


14

















 


Committee) received by the
shareholders for a common share of the Company in the Transaction, less any
applicable purchase price.


 


(d)          
Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Program or the Prior Programs including the terms of any
Benefit granted hereunder, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control:


 


(i)           
All stock options then
outstanding under this Program or the Prior Programs shall become fully
exercisable as of the date of the Change in Control, whether or not then
otherwise exercisable;


 


(ii)          
All Stock Appreciation Rights
and Limited Stock Appreciation Rights then outstanding shall become fully
exercisable as of the date of the Change in Control, whether or not then
otherwise exercisable;


 


(iii)         
All terms and conditions of all
Restricted Stock Awards then outstanding shall be deemed satisfied as of the
date of the Change in Control; and


 


(iv)         
All Performance Awards then
outstanding shall be deemed to have been fully earned and to be immediately
payable, in cash, as of the date of the Change in Control.


 


23.          
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF
PROGRAM.  The Board of Directors may amend the Program from time to time
or terminate the Program at any time, but no such action shall reduce the then
existing amount of any participant’s Benefit or adversely change the terms and
conditions thereof without the participant’s consent. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, except as provided in paragraph 22, the Company shall neither lower
the purchase price of any option granted under the Program nor grant any option
under the Program in replacement of a cancelled option which had previously
been granted at a higher purchase price, without shareholder approval.  To
the extent required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, paragraph 13 of the Program may not be amended more
frequently than once every six months other than to comport with changes in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the rules thereunder, and no
amendment of the Program shall result in any Committee member losing his or her
status as a “disinterested person” as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Securities
and Exchange Commission with respect to any employee benefit plan of the
Company or result in the Program or awards thereunder losing their exempt
status under said Rule 16b-3.


 


24.          
EFFECTIVE DATE.  The
Program was originally adopted by the Board of Directors on October 13, 1995.


 


15