Interactive Feature: Commitment

See and hear how our commitment to people, partnerships, and products further the advancement of eye health worldwide.

Alcon's R&D Organization

Alcon Laboratories Research We take a lot of pride in our commitment to blindness prevention, through the treatment of eye diseases and conditions, as well as vision preservation and enhancement. Although much of our work occurs inside the laboratory, we are encouraged by the impact our contributions make on patients and the community. It's clear from the caliber of people we hire and the financial commitment Alcon makes to research and development that discovering and developing the most advanced solutions to improve eye health is at the core of our mission.

Our Researchers

Alcon's research and development organization is the largest of its kind in the world consisting of more than 1,350 employees, including more than 300 individuals who are either M.D.s, doctors of optometry or Ph.D.s. Our researchers, in addition to having a broad range of experience in the biological and physical sciences, have extensive experience in applying their knowledge to the fields of ophthalmologic and optometric science. Many have academic or practitioner backgrounds to complement commercial experience.

Our Investment

Our financial commitment to research and development surpasses all others in the eye care industry. Annually we invest up to 17 percent of our pharmaceutical revenue and approximately 10 percent of our overall revenue back into research efforts. This investments totaled approximately US$1.8 billion during the last five years. We will contribute more than US$2.5 billion dollars in research and development during the next five years. To put this in perspective, we invest more in research and development on eye care than any other company worldwide.

Research Capacity

Our three research groups at Alcon focus on the discovery and identification of potential new eye care therapies and treatments for tomorrow. Through the Consumer Vision Care, Ophthalmology Discovery and Surgical Products Research groups we have the ability to screen a vast number compounds and review a wide array of therapeutic surgical designs and related instruments each year.

In the later stages, we rely heavily on our development organization and relationships with clinicians around the world to conduct large-scale clinical trials. Working closely with clinical groups, our regulatory affairs and marketing staff ensure that our development efforts meet the needs of doctors and their patients as well as those of regulatory bodies worldwide.

The Importance of Partnerships

Collaboration is key. We recognize our success lies not only in our efforts, but in our partnerships with academic institutions, industry organizations and individuals who also work tirelessly to offer the best in vision care. We've had many successes with licensing compounds and surgical technologies and recognize this as the most efficient path to solving eye care needs in many cases and complementary to our own internal development efforts.

Research Facilities

Alcon scientists and engineers work with state-of-the-art technology in facilities located throughout the United States, Spain and Switzerland. This means we have access not only to the best technologies, but also to the best minds in ophthalmology research.

William C. Conner Research Center

At the core of Alcon's scientific and technological commitment is the William C. Conner Research Center located at Alcon's headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. This 650,000 square foot facility is the world's most sophisticated eye care research and development facility.