Company Update

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington , D.C. 20549       FORM 8-K   CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934   Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 19, 2021   ABBVIE INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Delaware   001-35565   32-0375147 (State or other Jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.) _______________________________________________   1 North Waukegan Road North Chicago , Illinois 60064-6400 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)   Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: ( 847 ) 932-7900   Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:   ¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)   ¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)   ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))   ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value   ABBV   New York Stock Exchange Chicago Stock Exchange 1.500% Senior Notes due 2023   ABBV23B   New York Stock Exchange 1.375% Senior Notes due 2024   ABBV24   New York Stock Exchange 1.250% Senior Notes due 2024   ABBV24B   New York Stock Exchange 0.750% Senior Notes due 2027   ABBV27   New York Stock Exchange 2.125% Senior Notes due 2028   ABBV28   New York Stock Exchange 2.625% Senior Notes due 2028   ABBV28B   New York Stock Exchange 2.125% Senior Notes due 2029   ABBV29   New York Stock Exchange 1.250% Senior Notes due 2031   ABBV31   New York Stock Exchange   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).   Emerging growth company ¨   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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨           Item 8.01  Other Events   On August 19, 2021, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware issued a decision holding patent rights owned by Pharmacyclics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AbbVie Inc., relating to ibrutinib tablets (a drug Pharmacyclics sells under the trademark Imbruvica) valid and infringed by a generic tablet product from Alvogen Pine Brook LLC and Natco Pharma Ltd.  The court decision, which is subject to appeal, prohibits regulatory approval of that product until the last patent expires.   Previously, AbbVie entered into several settlement and license agreements with other generic companies for ibrutinib capsules. Consequently, no generic entry for any ibrutinib product is expected prior to March 30, 2032, assuming pediatric exclusivity is granted.   Janssen Biotech, Inc. is in a global collaboration with Pharmacyclics concerning the development and marketing of Imbruvica.         SIGNATURE   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.           ABBVIE INC.                 Date: August 19, 2021 By: /s/ Laura J. Schumacher       Laura J. Schumacher       Vice Chairman, External Affairs and       Chief Legal Officer     Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value ABBV