Alcon and Novartis complete merger and form new Alcon Division to accelerate global leadership in eye care

• trengths of Alcon, CIBA VISION and Novartis unite to offer widest spectrum of eye care products available in 180 markets
• Three businesses operate with dedicated sales forces and marketing support to maximize the commercial opportunity and to ensure continuity
• &D is a key focus to increase new product development targeting unmet medical needs FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A. – April 8, 2011 – Alcon announced today that its merger with Novartis has closed, enhancing the world’s leading eye care business by uniting the strengths of Alcon, CIBA VISION and Novartis. The newly formed Alcon business becomes the second largest division of Novartis leveraging its collective eye care product portfolio and expertise to accelerate growth and product innovation. The division will be headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S., with operations in 75 countries.

Alcon´s leadership in eye care is founded in pharmaceutical, surgical, and over-the-counter ophthalmic products including contact lens care, with differentiated technology, created through dedicated research and development. With the integration of CIBA VISION into Alcon, the company now offers the widest spectrum of contact lenses and lens care brands which adds a comprehensive vision care business to Alcon´s current portfolio.

When the new commercial model is implemented in the second half of 2011, the Alcon business will align as follows:

• The  Surgical business will continue to provide equipment, instruments, disposable products and intraocular lenses for surgical procedures that address cataracts, vitreoretinal conditions, glaucoma and refractive errors.
• The Pharmaceutical business will combine Alcon’s broad range of pharmaceuticals with selected products from Novartis Ophthalmics (excluding Lucentis). The Pharmaceutical business will also oversee the line of professionally driven over-the-counter brands in artificial tears and ocular vitamins.
• The Vision Care business combines the CIBA VISION portfolio of contact lenses and lens care products with Alcon’s market-leading contact lens solution portfolio.

“Today is an exciting day for our company and the eye care industry at large,” said Kevin Buehler, Head of Alcon. “Through this merger, we are forging the strengths of three global leaders into one eye care business with an unparalleled product portfolio that is uniquely poised to serve our customers by addressing the full life-cycle of patient needs across eye diseases, vision conditions and refractive errors. Alcon now benefits from increased scale,  resources and growth opportunities to achieve its vision of being the most trusted leader in eye care.”