Alcon, a world leader in vision care and surgical device development with nearly 80 years of experience, continues to cure millions.
A Swiss-American Alcon is the global leader in eye care, dedicated to helping people see brilliantly. With nearly 80 years heritage, it is the largest eye care device company in the world, with complementary businesses in Surgical and Vision Care. Being a truly global company, Alcon work in over 70 countries and serve patients in more than 180 countries. Alcon have a long history of industry firsts, and each year it commits a substantial amount in R&D to meet customer needs and patient demands.
Establishment and Growth
Alcon was founded in 1945 as a small pharmacy in Fort Worth, Texas, United States. Alcon was named after the first syllable of the last names of its founders, pharmacists Robert Alexander and William Conner, who focused on sterile ophthalmic products. After the founding of Alcon Laboratories in 1947, the company begins manufacturing specialty pharmaceutical products. In 1950, Alcon introduces its first two ophthalmic products, Ophthalzin for minor eye infections and Zincphrine for red, itchy eyes. In 1959, the company opens an office in Canada and begins its international operations. Alcon launched its patient assistance program in 1962, providing free medicines to low-income glaucoma patients and supporting medical missions around the world. In 1969, Alcon’s surgical division was formed with seven partners. Entering the seventies with sales of 31 million dollars, Alcon goes public. After Swiss Nestlé acquired Alcon in 1977, the company expanded its production capacity with new plants in South America and Europe and greatly increased its investment in research. Two years later, it collaborated with Orbis International to bring eye care services and healthcare provider training to poor communities around the world. The same year, Alcon acquired Texas Pharmacal Company to form Dermatological Products of Texas. The William C. Conner Research Center was established in 1982 to help Alcon significantly expand its research into the treatment of eye diseases and disorders, and in 1988 Alcon expanded its surgical manufacturing capacity with the acquisition of Sharpoint. In 1989, Alcon acquired CooperVision Surgical and combined it with its existing operations to become the world’s leading ophthalmic surgery company. Alcon’s product range expanded from pharmaceuticals to surgery.
Takes Good Care of Eyes
Alcon’s Irvine Technology Center, the world’s leading center for ophthalmic instrumentation development, opened in California in 1990. Alcon’s AcrySof IQ intraocular lens is approved by the FDA in 1994. In 1997, Alcon introduces Patanol ophthalmic solution, the leading prescription eye drop for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Air Optix Night & Day, the first silicone hydrogel contact lens for continuous wear for up to thirty nights, was launched in 1998. Alcon introduced Opti-Free Express solution for cleaning and disinfecting soft contact lenses in 2000. The company acquired Summit Autonomous and Grieshaber that same year to enter the refractive laser market and expand its line of retinal surgery instruments. In 2001, Alcon launched Travatan ophthalmic solution to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
Nestlé floated 25% of its shares in Alcon in 2002. Ciba Vision launches O2optix – later rebranded as Air Optix – a highly oxygen-permeable, breathable monthly replacement contact lens in 2004. Alcon significantly expanded its glaucoma and cataract treatment products in 2006, introducing Travatan Z ophthalmic solution to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients and AcrySof® Toric intraocular lens for cataract patients with astigmatism. The company received regulatory approval in 2007 to acquire Wavelight AG, expanding its product portfolio for Lasik surgery. Alcon innovated again in 2008, introducing Patanase nasal spray, the company’s first nasal product to treat nasal allergy symptoms. It also expanded its AcrySof line with Phakic and IQ ReStor+3.0 D in the same year.
Novartis & Alcon
Novartis acquired approximately 25 percent of Nestlé’s stake in Alcon, becoming Alcon’s second largest shareholder in 2008. Novartis also held an option to acquire the remaining 52 percent of Nestlé’s stake in Alcon from 2010. Alcon acquired Durezol and Zyclorin from Sirion Therapeutics in March 2010. The company received regulatory approval to acquire from Sirion Therapeutics the rights to Durezol emulsion in the United States and the global rights to Zyclorin, excluding Latin America, the same year. In June 2010, Alcon’s Independent Directors’ Committee announced that the committee’s recommendation was an indispensable first step before the company’s board of directors could make a decision on Novartis’ merger proposal and rejected public insinuations that Novartis could unilaterally impose the merger regardless of the Independent Directors’ Committee’s position once it became Alcon’s majority shareholder. In July 2010, Alcon’s Independent Directors’ Committee established a $50 million litigation fund to ensure that the company’s minority shareholders received the best deal from bidder Novartis. The boards of Novartis and Alcon finalized the merger agreement in 2011, giving Novartis a 100 percent stake in Alcon. The merger combined the strengths of Alcon, Ciba Vision and Novartis Ophthalmics into a single eye care business, making Alcon the second largest division of Novartis. Sales reached $10 billion in 2011. On April 9, 2019, vision care leader Alcon completed its 100% spin-off from Novartis and became an independent company. The new independent company was valued at up to 28 billion Swiss francs in 2019.
Investment in Innovation Continues
Alcon announced in November 2021 that it would acquire Ivantis and its glaucoma surgery stent technology for at least $475 million. In August 2022, Alcon agreed to acquire Aerie Pharmaceuticals for US$770 million to enhance its ophthalmic drug portfolio. In the same year, Alcon introduced the Fidelis Virtual Reality Ophthalmic Surgery Simulator, a portable device for cataract surgeons in training. Alcon aims to improve lives, strengthen communities and create long-term value by developing products that improve vision. Its strategy is to lead through its motto, See Brilliantly, a promise to ensure that communities have access to critical eye care services. This strategy focuses on three areas – lives, innovation and our planet – with a responsible focus on achieving social and environmental impact goals.
Chronology
1945: Two pharmacists, Robert Alexander and William Conner, open a small pharmacy in Fort Worth, Texas.
1953: While on a sales call in West Texas, Robert Alexander and a local physician develop the Droptainer eye drop dispensing bottle, the standart in eye care efor years.
1962: The Alcon Trust is established, and continues today through the Alcon Foundation.
1989: Launch of NewVue (Focus), Alcon’s first soft contact lens exclusively for periodic replacement.
1996: Ciba Vision launches Focus Dailies one-day disposable contact lenses, the first lens manufactured on its proprietary LightStream manufacturing platform.
2003: Alcon launches Systane eye drops for the treatment of dry eye symptoms. The Systane family is now the number 1 doctor recommended global artificial tear.
2005: Alcon launches AcrySof IQ ReStor IOL and becomes a global leader in multifocal IOLs. With portfolio expansions, including multifocal toric IOLs, Alcon introduces IOLs designed to address both astigmatism and presbyopia.
2007: Alcon expands its product portfolio for Lasik surgery through the acquisition of WaveLight AG.
2008: Alcon introduces the Constellation Vision System for vitreoretinal surgery.
2010: Alcon expands its cataract surgical portfolio with the aquisition of LenSx Lasers, Inc. Today, LenSx Laser is the global leader in cataract femtosecond laser technology.
2011: Alcon launches the world’s first-and-only water gradient daily disposable contact lens, Dailies Total1.
2013: Alcon launches its most advanced phacoemulsification technology platform, the Centurion Vision System.
2014: Alcon introduces Air Optix Colors contact lenses, a monthly replacement color-enhancing lens with silicone hydrogel technology, now available in nine natural-looking colors.
2015: The first Alcon Experience Center (AEC), an eye health education and training center, opens. Today, there are ten AECs around the world and more than 15.000 Eye Care Professionals receive training each year.
2018: Alcon launches Systane Complete lubricant eye drops, the first to provide relief for all majör types of dry eye.
2019: Alcon’s retinal portfolio expands with the launch of the Hypervit Dual Blade Vitrectomy Probe. Alcon launches the Luxor Revalia Opthalmic Microscope which is designed for both anterior and posterior procedures, for every type of ophthalmic surgery.
2020: Alcon’s retinal portfolio expands with the initial launch of the Finesse Reflex Handle for enhanced stability and control during vitreoretinal surgery. Introduction of the Argos Biometer with Image Guidance provides a more efficient workflow and improved accuracy for surgeons.
2021: Launch of Total30 contact lenses, the first-and-only monthly replacement, water gradient lens that feels like nothing, even on day 30. Alcon introduces the first application under the Smart Solutions platform, SmartCataract, which is designed to drive efficiency and enhanced accuracy from the clinic to the OR.
2022: Alcon completes the acquisition of Ivantis and brings the Hydrus Microstent, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device, into the surgical portfolio. Launch of the Systane Complete Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops in an easy-to-use multi-dose bottle. Alcon announces the roll out of the Clareon family of IOLs, featuring the novel Clareon material that can deliver consistent visiual outcomes. Alcon introduces Fidelis Virtual Reality Ophthalmic Surgical Simulator, a portable VR tool for cataract surgeons-in-training.
2023: Alcon launches campaign ‘See Brilliantly, Live Brilliantly’ to increase awareness about cataract surgery.
May 2024
