Abbott, AbbVie Beat Pension Suit by Employee of Acquired Company

Abbott Laboratories Inc. and AbbVie Inc. defeated a lawsuit by a former Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. employee who said he was owed pension benefits in connection with Abbott’s 2006 acquisition of his company.

Judge William L. Osteen Jr. of the US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina dismissed claims against Abbott, Kos, and AbbVie. The employee never alleged that these defendants exercised control over any pension plan, which means they’re not proper defendants for his claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Osteen said Thursday.

David Bova worked for Kos Pharmaceuticals from 1992 to 2002. Abbott acquired ...