Alcon Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) for $28 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $1.5 billion. The deal offers a 59% premium to STAAR's 90-day VWAP.

The acquisition includes STAAR's EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses (ICL), which provides vision correction for moderate to high myopia patients. This strategic move enhances Alcon's surgical vision correction portfolio, particularly targeting the growing myopia market, expected to affect 50% of the world's population by 2050.

The transaction is expected to close within 6-12 months, subject to regulatory and STAAR shareholder approval, and become earnings accretive in year two. Alcon plans to finance the acquisition through short- and long-term credit facilities.

Alcon (NYSE:ALC) has received Health Canada approval for its UNITY® Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS), marking the first innovation from its Unity portfolio. The breakthrough surgical technology combines vitreoretinal and cataract surgical capabilities in one integrated platform.

The system delivers significant improvements over Alcon's current CONSTELLATION® and CENTURION® systems, featuring up to 2x faster nucleus removal with 40% less energy, and the world's fastest vitrectomy probe at 30,000 cuts per minute. The platform includes a novel phacoemulsification modality and a first-of-its-kind phaco handpiece that estimates incision site temperature.

Following successful testing with over 200 surgeons from 30+ countries, Unity VCS is scheduled for commercial launch in early 2026.

Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) announced its intention to acquire LumiThera, Inc. and its photobiomodulation (PBM) device for treating early and intermediate dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The PBM device, which received FDA authorization in November 2024 and CE Mark in November 2018, is the first technology demonstrating meaningful visual improvement in dry AMD patients over two years of treatment.

The pivotal LIGHTSITE III study showed significant results: 88% of patients maintained or gained vision, and 64% gained at least one line of visual acuity. The device is currently available in Europe, Latin America, Singapore, the UK, and the US. The acquisition, excluding LumiThera's diagnostic devices, is expected to close in Q3 2025, subject to customary conditions and shareholder approval.

Alcon (NYSE:ALC), the global eye care leader, has achieved certification as a Top Employer in Canada for 2025 by the Top Employers Institute. The recognition highlights Alcon Canada's excellence in key areas including People Strategy, Career Development, Rewards and Recognition, Purpose and Values, and Diversity & Inclusion.

The company's strengths include its comprehensive learning programs, leadership development initiatives, and commitment to sustainability, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030. Alcon Canada's Head Office maintains ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification and demonstrates strong ethical business practices, including compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Alcon (NYSE: ALC) has announced the approval of Clareon PanOptix Pro intraocular lens (IOL) in Canada for cataract patients. The new IOL features ENLIGHTEN NXT Optical technology, delivering industry-leading performance with 94% light utilization (compared to theoretical maximum of 96%) and half the light scatter of its predecessor. Key improvements include enhanced light distribution and a 16% increase in optical image contrast between distance and intermediate vision. The device builds upon PanOptix's established success as the world's most implanted trifocal IOL, maintaining its low visual disturbance profile and high patient satisfaction. PanOptix Pro will be available in Canada in early 2026 through the Clareon AutonoMe preloaded delivery system and Clareon Monarch IV delivery system, offering +2.17 diopter intermediate and +3.25 diopter near add power.

Alcon (NYSE: ALC) has received FDA approval for TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003%, a first-in-class treatment for Dry Eye Disease (DED). The drug, which works as a TRPM8 receptor agonist, demonstrated significant efficacy in Phase 3 trials involving over 930 patients. Up to four times more TRYPTYR patients experienced increased natural tear production compared to the control group, with results visible as early as Day 1.

The treatment, administered as one drop per eye twice daily, addresses a significant market need, as approximately 38 million Americans suffer from DED, with less than 10% receiving prescription treatment. Alcon plans to launch TRYPTYR in the U.S. during Q3 2025.

[ "First-in-class TRPM8 receptor agonist showing rapid efficacy as early as Day 1", "Strong Phase 3 trial results with up to 4x more patients showing improved tear production vs. placebo", "Addresses large untapped market of 38 million U.S. patients with DED", "First prescription pharmaceutical treatment approval since Alcon became independent" ]

Alcon (ALC) reported Q1 2025 financial results with sales of $2.5 billion, flat on reported basis but up 3% in constant currency compared to Q1 2024. The company posted diluted EPS of $0.70 and core diluted EPS of $0.73. Operating margin improved to 19.1% from 15.1% year-over-year, while core operating margin decreased to 20.8% from 22.0%. Cash flow from operations was $384 million with free cash flow of $278 million. The company launched several innovative products including Unity VCS, PanOptix Pro, Voyager, Precision7, and Systane Pro PF. Despite soft US market conditions, Alcon updated its 2025 outlook, now expecting net sales of $10.4-10.5 billion with core diluted EPS of $3.05-3.15. Shareholders approved a dividend of CHF 0.28 per share.

Alcon (NYSE: ALC) has announced a definitive merger agreement to acquire LENSAR (NASDAQ: LNSR) in a deal worth up to $430 million. The acquisition includes LENSAR's ALLY Robotic Cataract Laser Treatment System, Streamline® software, and legacy laser system. Alcon will pay $14.00 per share in cash (approximately $356 million), with an additional contingent value right of up to $2.75 per share based on achieving 614,000 procedures between 2026-2027.

The deal represents a premium of 24% to LENSAR's 30-day VWAP and 47% to its 90-day VWAP. The acquisition strengthens Alcon's femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) portfolio and aims to expand advanced laser technology globally. With over 5 million cataract procedures in the U.S. and 32 million globally, the transaction is expected to close in mid-to-late 2025, subject to regulatory and stockholder approval.

Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) held its 2025 Annual General Meeting where shareholders approved all proposed resolutions. 332,704,408 shares were represented at the meeting. Key approvals included: the re-election of F. Michael Ball as Board Chair and other existing board members, election of Deborah Di Sanzo as a new board member effective September 1, 2025, and re-election of Compensation Committee members. Shareholders approved a gross dividend of CHF 0.28 per share and granted discharge to Board and Executive Committee members for 2024. The meeting also saw approval of compensation packages for the Board and Executive Committee, along with acceptance of the 2024 Report on Non-Financial Matters and Compensation Report. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA was re-elected as statutory auditors.