Better apart: a la Abbott, Baxter split in two

Baxter International is splitting into two companies – one focused on biopharmaceuticals and the other on medical products. In much the same way and citing the same "compelling rationale" that Abbott did just over two years, chairman and CEO Robert Parkinson says the two businesses have unique growth prospects, investment requirements and risk profiles that would be best served separately (scripintelligence.com, 19 October 2011).