by Joel Harrison
9. January 2011 13:23
It has been announced that Alcon, Inc. agreed to a merger with Novartis AG. After the merger is completed, Alcon will be one of Novartis’s largest divisions. CIBA Vision (producing AIR OPTIX AQUA and AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY) and some Novartis eye care products will be integrated into Alcon. The new organisation will have a 70% share in the eye care segment.
The new division is supposed to combine the knowledge and experience of Alcon with the vast resources of Novartis, which will result in numerous new, innovative products that should increase patient satisfaction.
In its press release, Novartis stated that the merger is also an opportunity to manufacture contact lenses and contact lens solutions under the same brand. This is expected to make it easier to find new customers and raise the number of contact lens users.
The companies expect to finalise the merger in the first half of 2011, after the shareholders of Alcon and Novartis have accepted it at their shareholder meetings.
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