Alcon At-a-Glance
The strengths of Alcon, CIBA VISION and Novartis Ophthalmics unite into one eye care business, Alcon has become the second largest division of Novartis. With these collective resources and scale, Alcon now offers the widest spectrum of eye care products in surgical, pharmaceutical and vision care across 180 markets and runs operations in 75 countries.
- Global leader in eye care
- Broadest portfolio of eye care products in three key ophthalmic categories: surgical, pharmaceutical and vision care products
- Conducts business globally in more than 180 countries through offices in more than 75 countries
- R&D is a key focus to increase new product development targeting unmet medical needs
- 2010 sales of USD 7.2 billion and net earnings of USD 2.2 billion
- 23,000 associates worldwide
- Founded in 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas, by pharmacists Robert Alexander and William Conner
- Majority ownership acquired by Novartis AG from Nestlé in 2010. On April 08, 2011, the merger of Novartis and Alcon was completed.
Our Vision
To be the most trusted leader in eye care.
Our People
The level of passion, commitment and dedication of Alcon associates is unmatched in the industry. The reason is that we all believe in what we're doing as a company, that we're making a difference in the world, and that we're doing it together united by a shared goal of preserving, restoring and enhancing vision worldwide.
Conditions, Products and Brands
Our product lines are organized into three groups. Our surgical products, which represent 44.9 percent of our total sales, grew 6.0 percent to USD 3.2 billion. Global sales of our pharmaceutical products, representing 42.7 percent of our total sales, grew 13.7 percent to USD 3.1 billion. In addition, the global sale of our vision care product lines, which represents 12.4 percent of our total sales, garnered USD 893 million.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world today. Through today's cataract surgery, the world's most successful surgery, blindness can be prevented or sight restored.
Our Flagship Brands
ACRYSOF® IQ RESTOR® IOL
ACRYSOF® IQ Toric IOL
INFINITI® Vision System
DISCOVISC® Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Device (OVD)
DUOVISC® Viscosurgical System
PROVISC® Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Device
BSS PLUS® Surgical Solution
CUSTOM-PAK® Surgical Packs
As many as 100 million individuals around the globe wear contact lenses, and cleaning and disinfecting is just part of the daily routine.
Our Flagship Brands
AIR OPTIX® Contact Lenses
DAILIES® Contact Lenses
FreshLook® Contact Lenses
The Alcon vision care portfolio offers daily disposable and monthly replacement contact lenses that fit the way people live and make it easier for them to follow the schedule recommended by their eye care professional.
Our Flagship Brands
OPTI-FREE® REPLENISH® Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS)
OPTI-FREE® EXPRESS® Lasting Comfort No Rub™ MPDS
Retinal detachment is a condition that often requires vitreoretinal surgery – a procedure that can also treat other conditions of the retina such as intraocular tumors, severe eye trauma, and ocular complications of diabetes or sickle cell disease.
Our Flagship Brand
CONSTELLATION® Vitrectomy System
For the millions of people around the globe who experience dry eye – especially those who live in hot, dry and dusty conditions – relief is available.
Our Flagship Brand
SYSTANE® ULTRA Lubricant Eye Drops
More than 90 percent of children will develop an ear infection before age seven, and more than one-third will have at least three infections.
Our Flagship Brand
Affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide, the number of allergy suffers is growing, with possible causes cited as everything from reduced air quality to poor diet.
Our Flagship Brand
Infections affect many people at one time or another, and it is vital that these are resolved with a visit to an eye care professional who can prescribe medication.
Our Flagship Brand
Often painful and potentially requiring medication, eye inflammation is best treated by an eye care specialist.
Our Flagship Brand
NEVANAC® Ophthalmic Suspension
Many nutrients are necessary for proper eye health, and routinely taking vitamins that benefit the eye can help reduce one's susceptibility to disease and infection.
Our Flagship Brand
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world today, affecting more than 65 million people globally.
Our Flagship Brand
TRAVATAN Z® Solution
TRAVATAN® Solution
Global Operations & World Markets
Over 65 years ago, Alcon was a small pharmacy in Fort Worth, Texas – today we're a UD 7.2 billion corporation with operations in more than 75 countries worldwide. Our offices not only serve the regions in which they are located, but many play important and specific roles within our global operations such as research & development, manufacturing and quality assurance.
To learn more about the markets in which Alcon operates, visit Locations.
Commitment to Quality
Alcon adheres to a high standard of quality in all aspects of our operations. We seek to continually improve our business processes and quality management systems. In addition, we comply with the highest level of regulatory and statutory requirements that govern our business in the markets in which we operate while consistently exceeding these standards.
Commitment to Research
In 2010, we invested USD 747 million in the pursuit of new products. Over the next five years, we will invest at least USD 3 billion – representing the largest corporate research investment to advancing eye care in the world.
Corporate Governance
Alcon is committed to operating with integrity and to complying with all applicable laws and regulations governing its conduct. To accomplish this, Alcon utilizes a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to provide a framework for corporate governance and maintains three standing committees within the Board of Directors whose responsibilities include corporate governance. Learn more about our corporate governance guidelines.
Corporate Responsibility
Alcon is committed to providing treatments for the millions worldwide who suffer from preventable diseases and conditions of the eye, requiring a high level of dedication, commitment and responsibility to patients, physicians, our employees and the global community. We address these many concerns through continuing education, humanitarian efforts, patient assistance, medical missions, disaster relief, environmental management, and continual improvement.
Through these and other programs, Alcon is working toward ensuring that people globally are able to enjoy the best quality of vision possible.
Media/Press Relations Contact Information
External Communications
Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
6201 South Freeway
Fort Worth, Texas 76134
U.S.A.
United States
800.631.0962
All Other Countries
817.551.8057
* Licensed to Alcon, Inc. by Bayer Schering Pharma AG. CIPRODEX is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, licensed to Alcon, Inc. by Bayer AG.
Back to top