Alcon Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Alcon (NYSE: ALC) has announced the introduction of Clareon® PanOptix® Pro intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract patients in the U.S. The new IOL features proprietary ENLIGHTEN® NXT Optical technology, delivering 94% light utilization - the highest reported among trifocal IOLs - and half the light scatter compared to its predecessor.

Key improvements include more uninterrupted light distribution and a 16% increase in optical image contrast between distance and intermediate vision. The device will be commercially available in the U.S. in May 2025, featuring powers from +6.0 to +34.0 diopters. It will be the first presbyopia-correcting IOL available in the U.S. from Alcon in the single-use Clareon AutonoMe® preloaded delivery system.

Alcon (ALC) has acquired a majority stake in Aurion Biotech, a clinical-stage company developing advanced cell therapies for eye diseases. The key asset, AURN001, has received Breakthrough Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designations from the FDA for treating corneal edema.

Aurion will operate independently with Alcon's support to advance AURN001 into Phase 3 trials in the second half of 2025. The therapy can produce up to 1,000 doses from a single donor, addressing the global shortage of corneal tissue. Aurion has completed a Phase 1/2 clinical study (CLARA trial) with 97 subjects across the US and Canada.

The company has already achieved its first global commercial launch with Vyznova™ in Japan for treating bullous keratopathy. Dr. Arnaud Lacoste, formerly Chief Scientific Officer, has been appointed as Aurion's CEO.

Alcon (ALC) has received CE Mark approval for Clareon Vivity, an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery. The commercial rollout in Europe will begin in early Q2 2025, with the AutonoMe automated pre-loaded delivery system available in Q3 2025.

The Clareon Vivity IOL combines Alcon's advanced Clareon material with Vivity's X-WAVE Technology, providing extended vision range from distance to functional near with minimal visual disturbances. Clinical outcomes show over 90% patient satisfaction rates, including successful results in patients with mild comorbidities such as AMD, glaucoma, and dry eye.

Key features include:

• One of the lowest levels of haze and glistenings compared to competitors
• STABLEFORCE Haptics for excellent axial and rotational stability
• Available in both UV-absorbing and blue light filtering options
• Reduced spectacle dependence while maintaining mesopic contrast sensitivity

Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire LENSAR (NASDAQ: LNSR), strengthening its cataract equipment portfolio. The acquisition includes LENSAR's ALLY Robotic Cataract Laser System, Streamline software, and legacy laser system.

The deal values LENSAR at $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 cumulative procedures between 2026-2027. The total potential consideration of $16.75 per share represents a 24% premium to LENSAR's 30-day VWAP and 47% to 90-day VWAP, potentially reaching $430 million.

The acquisition targets the growing cataract surgery market, with over 5 million procedures in the U.S. and 32 million globally. The transaction is expected to close in mid-to-late 2025, subject to regulatory approval and LENSAR stockholder approval.

Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC), the global leader in eye care, has announced its upcoming 2025 Capital Markets Day, scheduled for March 27, 2025. The event will commence at 8:00 a.m. CT and will be accessible via live webcast through the company's investor relations website.

Interested participants are advised to register and log in approximately 10 minutes prior to the webcast's start time to ensure smooth access to the presentation.

Alcon (ALC) has expanded the parameters of its TOTAL30 for Astigmatism contact lenses, now including a -2.75D cylinder offering. This monthly replacement Water Gradient toric contact lens, the first and only of its kind, maintains a 95% fit success rate and features PRECISION BALANCE 8|4 technology.

The expansion addresses the needs of astigmatic patients, who represent 47% of the patient population and are more prone to dryness and discomfort. The product includes Class 1 UV blocking against UVA and UVB rays and Blue-Violet Light filtration. The expanded parameters now cover 99% of astigmatic patients with a -3.00D cylinder or lower.

This development aligns with Canadian market preferences, where 61% of contact lens wearers choose reusable lenses. The product is now available across Canada, offering stability and month-long comfort at an affordable price.

Alcon (ALC) reported strong financial results for full-year 2024, with sales reaching $9.8 billion, up 5% (6% constant currency). The company achieved diluted EPS of $2.05 (up 5%) and core diluted EPS of $3.05 (up 11%).

Fourth-quarter 2024 performance showed sales of $2.5 billion, increasing 6% both on reported and constant currency basis. The Surgical segment generated $1.4 billion in Q4 sales, while Vision Care contributed $1.1 billion.

Key highlights include:

• Record $2.1 billion cash from operations
• Record free cash flow of $1.6 billion, up 120%
• Proposed dividend of CHF 0.28 per share
• New $750 million share repurchase authorization to offset equity incentive dilution

Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) has launched SYSTANE PRO Preservative-Free (PF) in the U.S., its latest over-the-counter eye drop for dry eye relief. The product features a unique triple action, preservative-free formula that includes hyaluronate, nano-sized lipids, and HP-Guar, making it the longest-lasting eye drop in the SYSTANE portfolio.

The launch addresses a significant market need, as dry eye disease affects approximately 45.5 million people in the United States and 1.5 billion globally. SYSTANE PRO PF works by providing sustained hydration, restoring tear film stability, and protecting against further eye irritation. The product will be available in the U.S. starting this month, with expansion to additional markets planned for 2026.

SYSTANE is currently the #1 global consumer brand of artificial tears, and this new addition strengthens Alcon's position in the dry eye treatment market.

Alcon (ALC) announced the full U.S. commercial launch of Voyager DSLT, the first Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty device for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The automated device delivers 120 laser pulses without requiring a gonio lens, streamlining the treatment process for nearly 5 million Americans diagnosed with glaucoma.

Key features include an intuitive touchscreen interface and SureTrac eye-tracking technology for precise delivery. Clinical data shows that 62% of DSLT participants were medication-free at 12 months, and 92.5% would recommend the treatment to others. The device will be showcased at the 2025 American Glaucoma Society meeting in Washington, D.C.

This launch expands Alcon's glaucoma portfolio, which includes Hydrus Microstent, EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device, and pharmaceutical drops.