Alcon, (NYSE: ACL) headquartered in Hünenberg, Switzerland, is a global medical company specializing in eye care products. Alcon's U.S. headquarters is located in Fort Worth, Texas.

History

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Alcon was founded in 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. The company started as a small pharmacy in Fort Worth and was named for its founders, pharmacists Robert Alexander and William Conner. Conner and Alexander focused on sterile ophthalmic products, which no other company specialized in at the time, and built their business by researching eyecare products that would reduce contamination and increase safety. Following incorporation in 1947, Alcon grew steadily to become a leader in their field.

Nestlé of Switzerland purchased Alcon in 1977. This was during a time of rapid growth for Nestlé's and was their first venture into the pharmaceutical industry. Alcon expanded its manufacturing capability with new plants in South America and Europe and drastically increased its investment in research. In the 80s and 90s, Alcon continued to grow and became the largest and most profitable ophthalmic company in the world. Today, Alcon has operations in 75 countries and their products are sold in over 180 countries. Alcon employs over 12,000 employees worldwide.

Alcon was spun off from Nestlé in 2002 and re-entered the NYSE with an IPO on March 21. Nestlé retains 75% of the stock.

Alcon is currently in dispute with AMO, Advanced Medical Optics, for patent infringements over WhiteStar technology.

Consumer products

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Contact lens care

• Opti-Free RepleniSH Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution
• Opti-Free Express No Rub Solution
• Unique-pH Multi-Purpose Solution
• Clerz Plus Lens Drops
• PLIAGEL Cleaning Solution
• ALCON Saline Solution
• UNISOL 4 Saline Solution

Dry eye

• Systane Lubricant Eye Drops
• Tears Naturale Forte Lubricant Eye Drops
• Tears Naturale Lubricant Eye Drops
• Tears Naturale II Lubricant Eye Drops
• Bion Tears Lubricant Eye Drops

Other

• ICAPS Vitamins
• Naphcon-A Eye Allergy Drops

Pharmaceutical products

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Glaucoma

• Azopt (brinzolamide)
• Betaoptic (betaxolol)
• Iopidine (apraclonidine)
• Isopto Carbachol (carbachol)
• Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine)
• Travatan (travoprost)

Ocular antibiotics

• Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin)
• TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone)
• Tobrex (tobramycin)
• Vigamox (moxifloxacin)

Ocular anti-inflammatory agents

• Flucon (fluometholone)
• Maxidex (dexamethasone)
• Nevanac (nepafenac)
• Patanol (olopatadine)
• Vexol (rimexolone)

Otic antibiotics

• Ciproxin HC/Cipro HC (ciprofloxacin/hydrocortisone)
• Ciprodex Otic (ciprofloxacin)

Macular degeneration

• Retaane (anecortave)

External links

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• Official website of Alcon

Companies of Switzerland | Fort Worth, Texas | Multinational companies