UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 14A
                                (Rule 14a-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                     Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

     Filed by the Registrant [ ]
     Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |X|

     Check the appropriate box:

     [ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
     [ ]  Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
          Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
     [ ]  Definitive Proxy Statement
     [ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
     |X|  Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

                                THERASENSE, INC.
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                              ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check appropriate box):
    |X|  No fee required.
    [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
______________________________________________________________________________
    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
______________________________________________________________________________
    (3) Per unit price of other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
______________________________________________________________________________
    (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
______________________________________________________________________________
    (5) Total fee paid:
______________________________________________________________________________
    [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
______________________________________________________________________________
    [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

    (1) Amount previously paid:
______________________________________________________________________________
    (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
______________________________________________________________________________
    (3) Filing Party:
______________________________________________________________________________
    (4) Date Filed:
______________________________________________________________________________

         The following are presentation slides shown to employees of
TheraSense, Inc. on January 20, 2004:



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                             MediSense (R)

                              Update



                                                -----------------------------
                                               |                             |
                                               |   Presentation to:          |
                                               |   Alameda Management Forum  |
                                               |                             |
                                               |   January 20, 2004          |
                                               |                             |
                                               |   Ed Fiorentino             |
                                                -----------------------------


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MediSense(R)                                                           ABBOTT 1




===============================================================================


In connection with the proposed merger, TheraSense will file a proxy statement
and other relevant documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT
BECOMES AVAILABLE AS IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND
RELATED MATTERS. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO FREE COPIES
OF THE PROXY STATEMENT (WHEN AVAILABLE) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC
BY THERASENSE AND ABBOTT THROUGH THE SEC WEB SITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV. THE PROXY
STATEMENT AND RELATED MATERIALS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FOR FREE (WHEN AVAILABLE)
FROM THERASENSE BY DIRECTING A REQUEST TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS, THERASENSE,
INC., 1360 SOUTH LOOP ROAD, ALAMEDA, CA 94502; PHONE (510) 749-5400. DOCUMENTS
FILED WITH THE SEC BY ABBOTT MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FOR FREE (WHEN AVAILABLE)
FROM ABBOTT BY DIRECTING A REQUEST TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS, ABBOTT LABORATORIES,
100 ABBOTT PARK, ROAD, ABBOTT PARK, IL 60064; PHONE (847) 937-7300.

TheraSense, Abbott and their respective directors, executive officers, certain
members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed merger. Information
regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered to be
participants in the solicitation of TheraSense's stockholders and their
interests in in the solicitation will be set forth in the proxy statement when
it is filed with the SEC.

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MediSense(R)                                                           ABBOTT 2




                          Forward-Looking Statements
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Some statements in this presentation may be forward-looking statements for
purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Abbott and
TheraSense caution that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements including that the conditions
precedent to the completion of the acquisition may not be satisfied or
necessary regulatory approval will not be obtained. Economic, competitive,
governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's
operations are discussed in Exhibit 99.1 of its Securities and Exchange
Commission Form 10-Q for the period ended Sept. 30, 2003, and are incorporated
by reference. For a description of factors that may affect TheraSense's future
results, see discussion under "Risk Factors Affecting Operations and Future
Results" in TheraSense's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003, and
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Abbott and
TheraSense undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to
forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.

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MediSense(R)                                                           ABBOTT 3




         Diabetes - a significant, growing global health care problem.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     o    WHO estimates 185MM people with diabetes
          worldwide, with only 40% diagnosed.

     o    Projected to grow to 500MM by 2025, due to aging
          population, sedentary lifestyle, and increasing obesity.

     o    Daily monitoring of blood glucose is required to avoid
          both the short and long-term complications of diabetes.



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MediSense(R)                                                           ABBOTT 4


                                                     

                         Worldwide Glucose Testing Market
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    Sales ($B)



9.0 _|  1998 - 2003  CGR +11.8%                                                       8.3
        2003 - 2008  CGR +10.0%                                                        __
8.0 _|                                                                        7.6     |  |
                                                                               --     |  |
7.0 _|                                                                6.9     |  |    |  |
                                                               6.3     --     |  |    |  |
6.0 _|                                                 5.7      --    |  |    |  |    |  |
                                               5.2      --     |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
5.0 _|                                 4.7      __     |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
                         3.6    4.0     --     |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
4.0 _|           3.3     __     --     |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
        3.0      __     |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
3.0 _|   __     |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
        |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
2.0 _|  |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
        |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
1.0 _|  |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
        |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
0.0 _|  |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |    |  |
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       1998    1999    2000    2001    2002    2003    2004    2005   2006    2007    2008


=============================================================================================
MediSense(R)                                                                       ABBOTT 5
Glucose Testing Market - Sales/Market Share - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [PIE CHART GRAPHIC OMITTED] ------------ 2003 Market Share (Est.) ($MM) | 2003 Sales | | Est. | Roche 36% ----------- J&J 27% Roche 1870 Bayer 13% ------------------------------------- MediSense 10.5% J&J 1400 TheraSense 4% ------------------------------------- Other 9.5% Bayer 670 $ 5.2 Billion ------------------------------------- MediSense 542 ------------------------------------- TheraSense 210 ------------------------------------- Other (B-D, HDI, Menarini) Regional Players 475 ------------------------------------- =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 6 Glucose Monitoring Technology Trends - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1980 - 2005 2005 - 2015 o Smaller meters o Additional improvements in fingerstick systems o Smaller sample requirements o Continuous monitoring systems (10 ul to < 1 ul) o Integrated testing systems o Shorter assay time (45 seconds to 5 seconds) o Open/closed-loop systems o Time/date features o Non-invasive systems? o Expanded memory =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 7 MediSense Situation Analysis - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Double digit sales growth Sales ($MM) o MediSense key successes o First Biosensor product [GRAPHIC OMITTED] o Ketone testing o Point of care systems ($ Millions) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 o Strong global presence ------------------------------------------------------------- o $542MM sales US 124 142 189 190 205 205 (60%+ international) International 202 232 246 265 289 337 o 10.5% overall market share ------------------------------------------------------------- Total 326 374 435 455 494 542 98-03 CGR = 10.7% ============================================================================================================ MediSense(R) ABBOTT 8
TheraSense Overview - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Highly attractive start-up Sales ($MM) with excellent IP [GRAPHIC OMITTED] o Low volume/rapid assay products o Less pain/high AST success $MM o Only .3 ul blood sample 2000 2001 2002 2003 Est o 7-second assay time -------------------------------------- o Freestyle, Flash/Mini US 6 72 154 170 platforms International 0 0 24 40 -------------------------------------- o Strong Pipeline Total 6 72 178 210 o Navigator (continuous monitoring) o Deltec Cozmore partnership o Integrated Systems o Significant, sustained penetration of the US market. o 2003 projected sales of $210MM. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MediSense(R) ABBOTT 9
TheraSense Product Portfolio - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FreeStyle | FreeStyle Flash | o Foundation product | o 4Q '03 launch o 0.3ul sample [GRAPHIC | o Smallest meter [GRAPHIC o 15 second assay OMITTED] | o 7 second assay OMITTED] o High AST success | o Lighting features | | - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FreeStyle Tracker Deltec Cozmore Navigator [GRAPHIC [GRAPHIC [GRAPHIC 3 day CGMS OMITTED] OMITTED] OMITTED] patch in development Insulin Pump =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 10 MediSense & TheraSense - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Leading technology o Strong pipeline o Navigator CGMS o Current products o Next generation Freestyle o Freestyle (less pain, AST) o Integrated systems o Flash (Type I, children) o Precision Xceed o Precision Xtra (ketones) o G3b, G3c o Precision PCx (point of care) o Next generation PCx o Critical mass/global presence =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 11 Integration Plan Process - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Maintain operational and competitive independence pending deal close. o Transition Team Process o Staffed with function heads and/or key players o Establish global objectives, guiding principles, and processes o Establish timelines and budgets o Oversee functional objectives, principles, timelines, and budgets o Manage information flow and communications o Steering Committee o Provide direction, mentorship, and guidance to transition team o Approve key transition team decisions o Facilitate execution of transition team =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 12 Goals of the Integration - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Rapid transition to new structure o Retention of key talent o Complete integration with fairness and professionalism o Rapid launch of new products o Freestyle o Flash o Xceed o G3b o PCx G3a o Successful preparation for Navigator o Market o Reimbursement o FDA o Ops =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 13 Our Mission & Core Values - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Together . . . . . we will o Improve the lives of people with diabetes through research and innovation o Ensure quality and integrity in everything we do o Develop our people and perform at the highest level =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 14 Our Vision - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Together . . . . we will build to a Billion and become a top tier player!! =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 15 =============================================================================== Welcome to Abbott Laboratories Rick Gonzalez President and Chief Operating Officer Medical Products Group =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 1 Abbott Laboratories =============================================================================== Abbott Today o 70,000+ Employees o Customers in 130+ countries [PHOTO OMITTED] o 2003 Sales $19.7 billion o Broad-based diversified business model =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 2 Abbott Laboratories =============================================================================== Broad-based Business Model [PIE CHART OMITTED] 2003 Sales by Division Total: $19.7 billion Pharmaceutical Products Group $11.5 billion International 29% Pharmaceutical 29% Medical Products Group $8.2 billion Hospital Products 16% Ross Products 11% Diagnostics 15% =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 3 Abbott Leadership ===============================================================================
Miles White Chairman and CEO _______________________ | | _____________________________|____________________________ | | ____________|_______________ _____________|_____________ Jeff Leiden, M.D., Ph.D. Rick Gonzalez President and President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Pharmaceutical Products Group Medical Products Group Pharmaceuticals Diagnostics Abbott International MediSense Diabetes Care Global Pharma R&D Molecular Diagnostics Global Pharma Operation Vascular Devices Spinal Concepts Ross Nutritionals Animal Health =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 4
The Medical Products Business =============================================================================== Operating Model Medical Products Group _________________ | | _____________________________________________________________________________ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Abbott Molecular MediSense/ Vascular Spinal Animal Ross ADD Diagnostics TheraSense I-Stat Devices Concepts Health o Flat organizational structure encourages businesses to be more independent and responsive o Entrepreneurial operating model improves speed, innovation and productivity of new product development =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 5 Medical Products Group =============================================================================== Vision Utilize our strengths in Diagnostics, Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Nutritionals to bring Innovation Clinical Solutions to patients and healthcare providers. =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 6 Key Priorities =============================================================================== Medical Products Group o Build businesses in high growth, innovative market segments o Maintain leadership in Diagnostics and Nutritionals o Grow leadership positions in Diabetes, Vascular and Molecular Diagnostics o Utilize our product diversity to bring breakthrough products to the market o Marketing and R&D Driven Business Model (Investment) o Achieve #1 or #2 position in every major business =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 7 Work/life Programs =============================================================================== [PHOTOS OMITTED] Work/life program highlights: Largest on-site child care facility in Illinois and among top five largest in the country Adoption assistance and related benefits Health and wellness programs Convenience services Awards and recognition Top 10 of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers," Working Mother No. 3 for "Best Company Benefits," Money Top 10 "Companies for Women," Health "Governor's Family Investment Award," Illinois Corporate Friend of Children Award, Child Welfare League of America =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 8 Diversity/Inclusion Program =============================================================================== [PHOTOS OMITTED} Diversity/Inclusion program highlights: Executive Inclusion Council, chaired by CEO 80% increase in women management in last four years Women Leaders in Action Awards and recognition "50 Best Companies for Asians, Blacks and Hispanics," FORTUNE Ranked #13 in Black Collegian magazine's Top 50 Diversity Employers Survey in 2002 -- and first among all pharmaceutical companies. =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 9 Community & Social Initiatives =============================================================================== [PHOTO OMITTED] Step Forward...for the world's children Helps orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in Romania, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and India Abbott Access Programs that expand access to Abbott's HIV drugs and rapid tests in Africa and least developed countries Determine HIV Donation Program Aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in developing world Tanzania Care Established to improve public health care infrastructure and improve services and access to care for people living with HIV in Tanzania =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 10 =============================================================================== Welcome to Abbott Laboratories Rick Gonzalez President and Chief Operating Officer Medical Products Group =============================================================================== MediSense(R) ABBOTT 11 =============================================================================== In connection with the proposed merger, TheraSense will file a proxy statement and other relevant documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AS IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO FREE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT (WHEN AVAILABLE) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BY THERASENSE AND ABBOTT THROUGH THE SEC WEB SITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV. THE PROXY STATEMENT AND RELATED MATERIALS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FOR FREE (WHEN AVAILABLE) FROM THERASENSE BY DIRECTING A REQUEST TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS, THERASENSE, INC., 1360 SOUTH LOOP ROAD, ALAMEDA, CA 94502; PHONE (510) 749-5400. DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BY ABBOTT MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FOR FREE (WHEN AVAILABLE) FROM ABBOTT BY DIRECTING A REQUEST TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS, ABBOTT LABORATORIES, 100 ABBOTT PARK, ROAD, ABBOTT PARK, IL 60064; PHONE (847) 937-7300. TheraSense, Abbott and their respective directors, executive officers, certain members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed merger. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered to be participants in the solicitation of TheraSense's stockholders and their interests in in the solicitation will be set forth in the proxy statement when it is filed with the SEC. ===============================================================================