Novartis Offers $38.5 Billion to Purchase Alcon and Position Itself as a World Leader in the Eye Care Market
Novartis AG today announced it plans to take over Alcon Inc. by paying $38.5 billion for the 77 percent stake it does not already own in a deal that would make it one of the biggest players in the global market for eye-care products.
The Swiss pharmaceutical and generics giant had already purchased 25 percent of Alcon from Nestle in April 2008 for $11 billion, with the option of buying the food and drinks company's remaining stake at a later date. With the acquisition of Alcon, Novartis will control about 70% of the world’s vision market (it already owns the Ciba Vision brand). Alcon is based in Huenenberg, Switzerland, and has its U.S. headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. The company employs some 15,000 people worldwide and specializes in surgical equipment and devices, contacts lens solutions and other consumer eye-care products.
Daniel Vasella, MD, Novartis’ Chairman and CEO, said "This is the right time to simplify Alcon's ownership to eliminate uncertainties for employees and shareholders." He added "It will also allow us to strengthen innovation power by combining R&D efforts and grow our global market presence thanks to our complementary product portfolios."
If I were a betting man, I would say that Novartis is the pharmaceutical company to watch over the next decade. Like Johnson and Johnson, the company has diversified its business to include consumer goods, vaccines and perhaps most importantly generic pharmaceuticals via its Sandoz division. One area that Novartis hasn’t fully embraced to date is devices. However, as we enter the age of personalized medicine, don’t be surprised if the company acquires or invests in a variety of medical devices and diagnostic companies!
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